Z39.50 left-anchored search against Voyager database produces incorrect results

Question

I am trying to run a Z39.50 query against a Voyager database using the Yaz Client.  I am searching the left-anchored TALL index (Use Attribute 4) using this query:

> f @attr 1=4 chicago

But my results include records that do not belong with my search.  What am I doing wrong?

Answer

For left-anchored searches, the Position Attribute must be defined. Otherwise the search is performed as a keyword search against the entire record. 

Modify your query to this:

> f @attr 1=4 @attr 3=1 chicago

to find all records with the string "chicago" in the specified index starting with the first character position

Additional Information

See https://www.loc.gov/z3950/agency/defns/bib1.html for more information on the z39.50 search attributes shown above

• Article last edited: 29-Mar-2019