On the implementation of E.R.I.K - Effective Retrieval of Information by Keyword: an information storage and retrieval research system

The accelerating production of information, often referred to as the information explosion, requires specialized methods for the storage and access of this wealth of knowledge. One solution to the problems of indexing, filing and retrieval of information has been Information Storage and Retrieval (ISAR) systems. The purpose of this thesis is to implement a functional experimental system (known as ERIK – Effective Retrieval of Information by Keyword) for research into various aspects of information storage and retrieval. An ISAR system has been created, incorporating numerous features found in both commercially available and recent research retrieval systems, as well as a few novel features. The design and implementation (originally done on a personal computer, now ported to an UNIX* environment) of the system is discussed as well as some of the background of the problems faced in the information storage and retrieval systems domain. An exciting implementation of an information retrieval system utilizing a newly developed massively parallel computer is also discussed, and its' approach to the problem of information retrieval is contrasted with existing solutions. * UNIX is a trademark of A.T.&T. Bell Laboratories