Mixed data structures in a multi‐purpose retrieval system

Remote Information Query System, (RIQS), is an information storage and retrieval system designed to handle both textual and quantitative information. It operates in an on‐line and batch mode for searching, and has been used extensively at Northwestern for both bibliographic and data management applications. The batch version also provides for file creation and update, data verification, and indexing. Acceptable data types include alphanumeric, numeric, and dates. Numeric items can be expressed in any consistent set of units. The internal record format of RIQS employs a variety of data structures to accommodate rapid on‐line search and effective update capability. These structures include a record scatter table for all data, with associated item pointers and scatter table pointers, and with chaining for record updates. On‐line search and the record structure are illustrated. Performance statistics show costs for several file creation and file search runs.