Last updated: 07.08.2006
Configuration of a Z39.50-client
This purpose of this decription is to give help on how to configure a Z39.50-client for using DanBib and other DBC databases
Content:
Overview
Access
Search and present
DBCs target is called Zpunkt.
Zpunkt is normally accessible 24 hours 7 days the week, but may be closed for maintenance.
The technical specifications are available in
Zpunkt - tecnical parametres for the official service
Access to DanBib via Zpunkt requires login/password. See Access
A test target for Zpunkt without login/password is available.
The technical specifications for this test access point are available in
Zpunkt - technical parametres for the test target
The access to DanBib and the other DBC databases via Zpunkt requires login/password.
Login/password is in 'V3-style'.
Login:
Login consists of:
'user-id', 'group-id' and 'password' in this order:
- User-ID=netpunkt
- Group-ID=[institution number]
- Password=[forwarded password]
These parameters are normally declared in the configuration of the Z-client.
If the Z-client operates only with user and password, the Group-ID may be configured as part of the user-entry.
e.g.: user = netpunkt/716700 password = pumpluft
The Z-client includes a standard configuration supported by the vendor.
A trimming of the configruation parameters for serch and present may be necessary to obtain the best use of the DBC databases.
The Z-client converts the search commands, i.e. search codes and search terms, to such strings.
Search
A Z39.50 search is normally formed as an RPN-string (Reverse Polish Notation) consisting of an attribute combination (properties for the search required).
Search in DanBib and other DBC databases
Zpunkt fulfils the requirements defined in the Danish danZIG profile
Here you may find a description of the Z39.50 attributes.
The Danish Bibliographic Centre has defined some supplementary search codes, which are listed with attribute combinations, danMARC2 fields/subfields and a Danish description in DBC-søgekoder
If the Z-client is properly configured it may search DanBib with the same search codes as the netpunkt.dk client as described in Danish in søgning i netpunkt.dk
Present
How to present the resulting records is also specified in the Z-client configuration.
The configuration of the Z-client includes definition of which formats to use when presenting the search results in the OPAC.
It may also define if the Z-client uses its own present formats or the formats provided by the Z-target.
Presenting records from DanBib and other DBC databases
The following present formats are available in DanBib:
- danMARC2 (incl. formats for the Danish hierarchical record structure)
- MARC21
- SUTRS brief and SUTRS full (standard present formats in plain text)
The present formats are specified in
Zpunkt - tecnical parametres for the official service.
For users of netpunkt.dk:
The formats are very unlike the formats used in the netpunkt.dk-client described in Danish in visning i netpunkt.dk. We presume that the Z-client designers define avanced present formats suited for their various Z-clients - especially the presentation of the hieararchical record structure.
