Basic Stn Commands Quick Reference Card (qrc)
STN® Quick Reference Card
Basic STN commands
STN has two versions of command language:
• NOVICE (at least the first four letters of the command) - You are prompted for all information
necessary to process the command.
• EXPERT (the first three letters of the command, and in some cases just the first letter) - You
are not prompted for additional information, so you should supply all information that is not
a default option.
The command table below identifies both the NOVICE (shown in purple) and EXPERT (shown in black)
versions of the command. The commands are ordered as you might use them in a searching session.
Use this
command:
When you want to:
Example
INDEX
Scan two or more databases or a cluster of databases for
=> INDEX CAPLUS EMBASE
IND
topics before you search them.
=> IND GOVREGS
FILE
Enter a database or cluster to search or display answers.
=> FILE REGISTRY
FIL
=>
FIL PATENTS
EXPAND
Look at the neighboring terms in a search field to verify that it
=> EXPAND BATES C/AU
E
is a valid search term. Twelve terms are shown by default. To
=> E GLYCERIN
continue down the same index, enter E <RETURN>. If you do
not append a search code, the Basic Index is used.
SEARCH
Perform a search. If you do not append a search code, the
=> SEARCH BATES C/AU
S
search is performed in the Basic Index.
=> S TSCA
TRANSFER
Extract terms and search them in a single step.
=> TRANSFER L1 1- AU
TRA
=> TRA L2 PN, APPS 1-10
DUPLICATE
Remove or identify duplicate records from one or more answer sets.
=> DUPLICATE REM L5
DUP
=>
DUP IDE L1 L2
DISPLAY
Display answers. Non-consecutive answer numbers must be
=> DISPLAY 1-5,8
D
separated by commas or spaces. For a list of fields that may be
=> D L2 1 4 TI AU
displayed, enter HELP DFIELDS at an arrow prompt in the database.
ARCHIVE
Purchase the right to store STN search results for up to n
=> ARCHIVE 100 10
ARC
users within your worldwide organization.
=> ARC 100 10
REDISTRIBUTE
Purchase the right to redistribute STN search results for up
=> REDISTRIBUTE 250 5
RED
to n users within your worldwide organization.
=> RED 250 5
DISPLAY
Browse through an answer set. You can view consecutive answers,
=> DISPLAY BROWSE L4
BROWSE
non-consecutive answers, change formats, and view additional
=> D BRO
D BRO
answers without re-entering the DISPLAY command.
SELECT
Extract terms from display fields that can then be used as search
=> SELECT L1 1-5 RN
SEL
terms. For a list of fields that may be used, enter HELP EFIELDS
=> SEL L1 1-5 HIT RN
at an arrow prompt in the database.
ANALYZE
Extract terms from display fields and provide statistical analysis.
=> ANALYZE L3 1-PA
ANA
For a list of fields that may be used, enter HELP EFIELDS at an
=> ANA HIT L1 AU
arrow prompt in the database.
Use this
command:
When you want to:
Example
SAVE
Save an L-number query, answer set, or list in your long-term storage. => SAVE L6 VISION/Q
SAV
A monthly fee is charged for saved items. You must enter an
=> SAV L1 COMIC/A
L-number and a name ending in /Q for a query, /A for an answer
=> SAV ALL C6H6/L
set, or /L for an L-number list.
SET
Set various terminal parameters and options. When you SET a
=> SET DFORMAT HIT
parameter, it remains in effect until you log off or modify the SET
=> SET PATENTS DERWENT
parameter. For a list of SET commands, enter HELP SET at an
=> SET UNIT MP=C
arrow prompt.
=> SET PAGELENGTH 24
=> SET DUPORDER FILE
PRINT
Print answers offline or deliver them to an e-mail address.
=> PRINT L3
ORDER
Order a document from a document supplier. For a list of
=> ORDER
suppliers, enter HELP ORDER SUPPLIER at an arrow prompt.
SDI
Request that current-awareness searches be run automatically
=> SDI
(or ALERT) when a database or a set of databases is updated.
=> SDI MFILE
NEWS
Display current news headlines on STN. To see a specific
=> NEWS
news item, enter NEWS followed by the number or name
=> NEWS 8
of the news item at the arrow prompt. To see current
=> NEWS HOURS
content information for a database, enter NEWS FILE at
an arrow prompt in the database.
HELP
Request online help. Enter HELP and a command name
=> HELP INDEX
?
for help on how to use a specific command. Enter HELP
=> ? DIS BROWSE
MESSAGES for a list of all online help messages available.
Enter HELP DIRECTORY in a database for a list of helps for
the database. Enter HELP COST in a database for pricing
details for the database. Enter HELP PRICE for STN pricing
information.
LOGOFF
End your online session.
=> LOGOFF
LOG Y
=> LOG Y
LOGOFF
Temporarily end your online session and hold the entire
=> LOGOFF HOLD
HOLD
session for 120 minutes at no charge.
=> LOG H
LOG H
For more information
Enter HELP, followed by the name of the command, e.g., HELP ANALYZE.
See also other STN Documentation available at www.cas.org.
CAS Customer Care
Phone: 800-753-4227 (North America)
A division of the
614-447-3700
(worldwide)
American Chemical Society
Fax:
614-447-3751
E-mail: help@cas.org
June 2008
Internet: www.cas.org
