Software MESSENGER

Stmcture searching and display software are host-specific. The Softon Substmcture Search System (S4) was developed by the Beilstein Institute and Softon of Graefelfing Germany (50). It is a full stmcture and substmcture searching module. The S4 is used in-house by the Beilstein Institute and is operated by DIALOG. STN uses CAS ONLINE s messenger software for on-line stmcture searching of the Beilstein on-line database (51). 

CAS cooperates with Fachinformationszentrum Energie, Physik, Mathematik (FIZ-Karlsruhe) in Karlsruhe, Federal Republic of Germany, and the Japan Information Center of Science and Technology (JICST) in Tokyo, Japan, to form STN International, the scientific and technical information network. The CAS-developed Messenger software is used to support STN International and is running on... 

The first major graphics application for an ACS publication automated the input and composition of structures in CA. Later, this structure input method was modified and added to the Messenger software for use in STN International as the basis for the STRUCTURE command that builds queries for substructure searching. After a search, structure images can be displayed on certain graphics terminals. Chemical structures are also produced by Messenger batch software on STN International off-line prints. 

It is planned to produce an online version of the database, which will be implemented on STN International. For this purpose, a data file in standard format that can be used under Messenger software will be derived from the base file. (Stereochemical information will be kept in this file, even though Messenger cannot handle this information at present). The enhancements to Messenger developed at CAS for CASREACT, the online reaction retrieval system developed by CAS, will also be used for this database. The display capability of Messenger will, in this configuration, also allow for the display of the whole (multi-step) reaction schemes. 

Our system was in a very precarious state in 1985. But with the support of a skilled analyst and exemplary team effort, we have managed to keep the old system operational and convert about 75% of the files electronically and the remainder manually. Together, with the superb co-operation, flexibihty, and expertise of the CAS staff, we have built SCION, with MESSENGER software and a proprietary security system. 

Messenger software is used in support of STN International. Its architecture allows for multiple, interconnected software nodes which can be widely separated geographically. Thus, a user can search or retrieve data from a search and retrieval database that is on a different continent. Each software node is responsible for controlling access to the Messenger software and to the search and retrieval databases at the software node. Each search and retrieval database contains the collection of search and display files necessary to perform the required search and retrieval request against it. 

A prominent example of a structure database (see Structure Databases) is the REGISTRY File offered by the host STN. This database contains both structure and nomenclature from the Registry System. This file is searched using the Messenger software developed by Chemical Abstracts Service, which provides both identity, full structure, and substructure searching as well as nomenclature searching (see Chemical Abstracts Service Information System). Structure queries are entered as structure diagrams created with text... 

Neither COUSIN nor the CAS ONLINE Messenger software were portable or commercially available. From the early 1980s there was a big demand for user-friendly, interactive access to in-house, chemical structure data bases. The market leaders became MACCS 22-23) marketed by Molecular Design Ltd (MDL) and... 

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