Chemical Structure Information Systems: Interfaces Communication and Standards (Acs Symposium Series)

With the advent of computer graphics, the proliferation of PCs, and the development of user-friendly software, the average chemist can now build chemical databases, search structures and substructures, and generate chemical reports. However, these many systems and databases cannot be linked in a seamless manner. This book addresses this concern in 12 chapters written by people from diverse backgrounds, from software developers to information specialists. Some of the specific topics covered include: the need for flexibility in file formats to enable free exchange of chemical data, the interrelated forces that restrict compatibility, the attributes of a standard interface, chemical structure browsing, the use of a host language interface, PC-to-mainframe communication programs, and the standard molecular data format as an integration tool.

Wendy A. Warr, ICI Pharmaceuticals.