Basic STN commands | Cheat sheet | Current awareness | Quiz
Basic STN commands
| Command | Function | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| File | Enter database (file) for search, display and print. | |
| Fil | Default file for Academic Program Accounts: LCA. | |
| Access a file. Use “Cost=” to cluster charges on monthly bill. | fil ca cost=GrantNumber | |
| Search | Search terms | |
| S | Search a single term | s organometallic |
| Search combined terms | s crystal? (L) struct? | |
| Search in specific field(s) | s waymouth, r?/au | |
| Search terms from EXPAND list | s e1 or e3-e5 | |
| List search fields in the current file | help sfields | |
| Expand | View search term and its neighbors in an index. | |
| E | View term in Basic Index (in CA this is combination of TI, AB, ST, IT) | e methyl |
| View term in specific index | e waymouth, r/au | |
| Page down to view more terms | e | |
| View term plus term with a prefix attached | e left assay | |
| View term in the reverse direction in same index | e back | |
| Display | Look at information online | |
| D | Display search results specifying L-number, answer number(s), and display field(s). Display fields are file specific. | d L3 5-7 ti |
| List display fields in the current file | help dfields | |
| List display formats in the current file | help dformat | |
| Display session history | d his full | |
| Display charges for session | d cost full | |
| Additional display information | help display | |
| Help | Online help | |
| ? | Enter HELP or ? at the next prompt after an error message for an explanation of the error | ? |
| Display list of available explanations | help messages | |
| Display summary of current file contents | help content | |
| Display commands in the current file. | help commands | |
| Display helps available for current file | help directory | |
| Display rates for using the current file | help cost | |
| List search fields in the current file | help sfields | |
| List display fields in the current file | help dfields | |
| List display formats in the current file | help dformat | |
| Set | Set various terminal parameters and options. Enter “Help Set” for a list of all the SET options. | |
| Restrict entire search session to a specific time frame (e.g. 1990 to present) | set ran=(1990,) | |
| Restrict single search statement to a specific timeframe (e.g. 1985 to 1990) | s L1 ran=(1980,1985) | |
| Restrict single search statement to a specific timeframe (e.g. 1967 to 1988) | s L1 ran=(,1988) | |
| Deliver search results to an electronic mailbox or send paper copy using First Class Mail | ||
| * Send results to an electronic mailbox | ||
| Step 1: at system prompt, enter “print title” | print title | |
| Step 2: at “Enter (L#)...”, enter L# that you want sent to you | L2 | |
| Step 3: at “Enter (End) or Title Line”, type title of your email message | CAS Search Results | |
| Step 4: at second “Enter (End) or Title Line”, enter “end” | end | |
| Step 5: at “Enter method of delivery.” type “email” | ||
| Step 6: at “Enter EMAIL ID”, type your internet address and add “.internet” | jane@stanford.edu.internet | |
| Step 7: at “Receive Delivery Notification? (Y)/N” enter a “y” for yes or “n” for no | n | |
| Step 8: at “Print Entire Answer Set? (Y)/N” enter “y” for yes or “n” for no | y | |
| Step 9: at “Enter Print Format (BIB) or ?” type in display format wanted | cbib abs | |
| STN now gives you a number for your EMAIL request (e.g. E270328C). | ||
| To delete an EMAIL request, enter DELETE at an arrow prompt (=>) followed by the print request number. You must delete the request before logging off. | delete e270328c | |
| * Send offline prints using First Class Mail (arrives in 4–5 working days) | ||
| Step 1: at system prompt, enter “print” | ||
| Step 2: at “Enter (L#)...”, enter L# that you want sent to you | L2 | |
| Step 3: at “Change Mailing Address?(N)/Y:” enter a “Y” | Y | |
| Step 4: at “Enter (End) or Address”, type the 1st line of your address | Joe Student | |
| at “Enter (End) or Address”, type the 2nd line of your address | P. O. Box 00001 | |
| at “Enter (End) or Address”, type the 3rd line of your address | Stanford, CA 94309 | |
| at “Enter (End) or Address”, type “end” when you have finished entering your address (maximum 5 lines available for address) | end | |
| Step 5: at “Change Mailing Address? (N)/Y”, type “n” if it’s correct and “y” if you need to modify it | n | |
| Step 6: at “Enter Print Format (BIB) or ?” type in display format wanted | cbib abs | |
| Step 7: at “Print Entire Answer Set? (Y)/N” enter “y” for yes or “n” for no | y | |
| STN now gives you a number for your PRINT request (e.g. E270328C). | ||
| To delete a PRINT request, enter DELETE at an arrow prompt (=>) followed by the print request number. You must delete the request before logging off. | delete e270328c | |
| Logoff | Disconnect from STN International | |
| Log | Logoff in one step. | log y |