# /research/announcements/2004-02-27.xml

originally: http://www.oclc.org/research/announcements/2004-02-27.htm

        OCLC researcher Ralph LeVan helps create the next generation of Z39.50 software
        Called Search and Retrieve Web/Search and Retrieve URLs (SRW/U), the new service uses the basic Z39.50 features in combination with Web technology.
        levan@oclc.org

        http://www.oclc.org/research/announcements/
        http://www.oclc.org/research/announcements/oclc_research_news.rdf
        February 27, 2004

        <P>Mr. LeVan has written an open source version of the software, which libraries and other organizations can download at no charge from the OCLC Web site.</P>
    <P>"The SRW/U initiative is part of an international collaborative effort to develop a standard, web-based, text-searching interface," says Mr. LeVan.&nbsp; "It is 'plumbing' that uses different mechanisms for transmitting requests and presenting data, and it draws heavily on the abstract models and functionality of Z39.50, but removes much of the complexity."</P>
    <P>SRW/U brings the Z39.50 experience to the Web community using tools familiar to its members—Web Service Description Language, Simple Object Access Protocol and Extensible Markup Language.&nbsp; It provides a basis for the Web community to solve some of their searching problems, and the potential for Web applications to access Z39.50 resources.</P>
    <P>"Developing SRW interfaces to data repositories is significantly easier than for Z39.50," LeVan says. "This activity is a great opportunity to leverage library experience with text searching in local and distributed databases, and to provide increased interoperability with other communities on the Web."</P>
        <P>The OCLC Research SRW/U project<BR><A href="http://www.oclc.org/research/projects/webservices/default.htm">http://www.oclc.org/research/projects/webservices/default.htm</A></P>
    <P>SRW Home page<BR><A href="http://lcweb.loc.gov/srw/">http://lcweb.loc.gov/srw/</A></P>
    <P>Ralph LeVan:<BR><A href="http://www.oclc.org/research/staff/levan.htm">http://www.oclc.org/research/staff/levan.htm</A></P>

        Ralph LeVan
        +1-614-764-6115

        Bob Bolander
        bolander@oclc.org
        +1-614-761-5207

        Consulting Research Scientist
        OCLC Research
        Communications &amp; Programs Manager
        OCLC Research