STN Pocket Guide

Logging on to CAS STNext

Entering databases

At an arrow prompt (=>), use the FILE command to specify databases or clusters:

• For a list of STN databases, enter HELP FILE NAMES.
• For a list of STN database clusters, enter HELP CLUSTER NAMES.

Basic 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.

Stacking commands

To enter multiple commands at once, separate the commands with semicolons.

‍=> S GRAVITY OR GRAVITATION; D TI; FILE INSPEC

Truncation and character masking symbols

Use the symbols below to allow for variability in your search terms.

Left truncation or simultaneous left-and-right truncation is available in some fields in some databases. See the STN Database Summary Sheets for more information.

Boolean operators

Use Boolean operators to combine search terms.

Notes:

• Spacing around the Boolean operators is required.
• Always place parentheses around an expression of terms that is combined by the OR operator.
• A comma (,) or hyphen (-) can be used in place of an OR operator with L-number or E-number search terms. No spaces are allowed around the comma or hyphen.

Numeric operators

Use the operators below to specify values and ranges.

Notes:

• Numeric operators can be used only in fields that contain numeric data.
• Spaces can be included around numeric operators if desired.

Proximity operators

Use the operators below to specify proximity between or among search terms.

Notes:

• Both the letter for the operator and the parentheses are required for all proximity operators.
• Spaces can be included around proximity operators if desired.
• A space can be used in place of (W) in the Basic Index and sometimes other fields that have individually indexed terms, e.g., S ACID RAIN.
• For information about how an operator works in a specific database, enter HELP followed by the operator in parentheses, e.g., HELP (X), within the database.

Order of application of operators

Each search statement is processed left to right, in the following order based on the operators that combine the search terms.

1. Terms in parentheses
2. Terms combined with a numeric operator (=, <, >, >=, <=, -)
3. Terms combined with (W) or (A)
4. Terms combined with (S)
5. Terms combined with (P)
6. Terms combined with (L)
7. Terms combined with AND or NOT
8. Terms combined with OR (not in parentheses)

Displaying costs

Use the commands below to view cost information.

*Example:
=> SET ACCOUNT
ENTER COST CENTER (NONE):RESEARCH LAB
COST CENTER SETTING WILL TAKE EFFECT WITH THE NEXT SUCCESSFUL FILE COMMAND
SET COMMAND COMPLETED

System limits

Enter HELP LIMITS for the most current information on system limits. For help after receiving an error or system limit message, enter HELP (or ?) at the next arrow prompt.

Online help

Use HELP (or ?) commands to view system and database-specific information.

In addition, you can enter a ? at a prompt to receive further clarification whenever you receive a message from STN.

Additional commands

Use these commands for additional functionality.

For more information:

• Enter HELP, followed by the name of the command, e.g., HELP ANALYZE.

Logging off

Use one of these commands to log off from STN.

If you do not log off, you will continue to be charged connect-hour fees. You will be automatically disconnected after 40 minutes of inactivity.