Interactive Language Query System for Retrieving Alphanumeric Data from an Army Tactical Data System

For a decade the United States Army has been investigating the uses of computers in the area of tactical operations. While demonstrating that computer based tactical data processing systems can provide useful assistance, field tests have uncovered some operational problems. One major problem has been the inability of prestructured formats to meet user requirements of flexibility and generality in querying the tactical data system for alphanumeric data. The purpose of this study was to describe a query system, based on an interactive query language (IQL), as an alternative to this use of formats. The methodology encompassed four steps. First, user requirements for interactive query were stated, based on an analysis of data flow in a division tactical operations center. Second, the assumed hardware and software capabilities of a tactical data system which would use the proposed query system were stated. Third, research of the literature and of existing systems having IQLs was conducted to determine the state of the art in IQL design. Fourth, a proposed query system was described.