Support : Dialog Search Aids : Successful Searching : Search Basics

Dialog Command Language Search Basics (cont'd)

Stacking Commands

You can "stack" commands by separating each command with a semicolon (no space is necessary before or after the semicolon):

 ?begin 6;select online(3n)database;type s1/6/1-5

Range Searching

A colon is used to indicate a range of sequential entries to be retrieved in a logical OR relationship. For example, SELECT SC=4021:4036 retrieves records with Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes 4021 through 4036. SELECT PY=2006:2008 retrieves records with publication years 2006 through 2008.

Numeric Searching

The following relational operators are available for searching numeric ranges:

For example, SELECT SA>=100000000 retrieves records with sales greater than or equal to $100,000,000.

Numeric values can also be represented using the following abbreviations:

Output Formats

The term Format in the context of Dialog Command Language refers to the data elements, or fields, from a record that the system presents for display or delivery.

Standard Output Format Options

TYPE and PRINT: Using Dialog Command Language you can choose a standard display or specify exactly what data to view using the TYPE command. The PRINT command is used to deliver output to a target other than your browser.

Predefined formats: Each database has a number of predefined format options. The data elements included in each predefined format vary, depending on the type of database. For a list of available format options for a specific database, refer to the database Bluesheet or enter HELP FMT n (where n is the file number) while online.

User-Defined formats: You can specify your own format using the display codes (e.g., TI, AU, PY) that are listed on the database Bluesheet (see SET Un).

REPORT: The REPORT command is used to display or deliver selected data in tabular layout or in special formats for use with spreadsheets and other software.

Advanced Output Format Options

The term Format is used in two other contexts: File format and Document Layout format.

File Formats: DialogLink 5 and DialogClassic Web both offer additional output options for delivering or saving results in Rich Text Format, XML, HTML, Adobe® PDF, Microsoft® Word or Excel.

Document Layout Formats: DialogLink 5 and DialogClassic Web also offer options for creating customized reports containing images, color, variable fonts and sophisticated layout. DialogLink 5, in particular, includes an advanced reporting tool for creating complex reports using templates.

Search Assistance and Tools 

top