Z39.50 - what I've learned

Hi all,

As you may know I've been trying to learn all about Z39.50 and how to
implement it on my existing library system.

Here is what I've learned. Please correct any mistakes.

1. I need a server and a client (a target and an origin).

2. I can use a web browser as a gateway to the system. However, a web form
is not a "true" Z39.50 client. A web form will submit what the user searches
for to a CGI application (or similar) sitting on the web server. The CGI
app. is the Z39.50 client. It will then communicate with the Z39.50 server,
which communicates with the database.

This seems a bit like overkill to me because the Z39.50 client, the server
and the database could all be sitting on the same machine (the web server),
but if that's what's required to be compliant then so be it.

Would anyone argue that a web form on a web page is actually the client, and
that the CGI app. is the server?

3. This raises other issues if what I say is correct. I need to allow my
library data to be searchable by other Z39.50 clients. I'm guessing but
there is probably no standard format for Z39.50 web forms, so that could be
a problem. Comments?

4. People have mentioned that I need to write something that will listen on
a port (typically 210 or 2100) accept Z39.50 requests and respond with
information from your database. This would be the Z39.50 server application
that would be listening, right? They will be listening for action from the
Z39.50 client, which in this case is the CGI app. Is that right?

5. I may also develop a desktop application for staff at the colleges to
use. The web interface would primarily be for students and people wanting to
access the library data outside of the college. So the desktop app. would
communicate with the Z39.50 server in the same way as the Z39.50 CGI. app.
The desktop will be more powerful and do much more than is possible from a
web browser.

6. When I start to develop a Z39.50 application, is the best reference doc.
to use the Z39.50 Text found at:
http://lcweb.loc.gov/z3950/agency/markup/markup.html
Are there better guides or development resources to use?

7. Is there a test for Z39.50 compliance?

Who wants to mark my homework and tell me how I've done? :-)

Anyone know of a Z39.50 system written in Delphi?

Thanks in advance for your help.
Stephen

Received on Wednesday, 13 June 2001 07:33:07 UTC