Re: Distributed searches in Z39.50?

From: "Alan Kent" <ajk@mds.rmit.edu.au>
>
> One of the problems in implementing a Z39.50 distributed search
server
> is a search request has to return the exact number of hits in the
> search response packet.  The exact number of records in the final
> result set has to be returned in the search response as there is no
> other way to tell the client later about a revised figure.  This
means
> a server cannot respond until all of the distributed searches it
sends
> out return.

Not entirely true, Alan, as the searchResult-1 definition (see
http://lcweb.loc.gov/z3950/agency/asn1.html#UserInfoFormat-searchResult-1)
was created for the purpose of reporting intermediate and/or partial
results.

--Ray