Z39.50 Record Syntaxes

The record syntaxes are the definitions that Z-clients and Z-servers work with when exchanging records.  Both ends need to understand the records they are dealing with. This section describes the main types currently defined by the standard.

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MARC formats, SUTRS, OPAC, Summary, GRS-1, Explain, Extended services.

MARC formats

Z39.50 supports most of the main MARC formats - assigning them an “object identifier number” so that the Z-client and Z-server can easily understand which flavour of MARC they are dealing with.  This is the list of supported MARC formats:
  • Unimarc
  • Intermarc
  • CCF
  • USmarc
  • UKmarc
  • Normarc
  • Librismarc
  • Danmarc
  • Finmarc
  • MAB
  • Canmarc
  • SBN
  • Picamarc
  • Ausmarc
  • Ibermarc

These formats are all exchanged in the ISO2709 format (MARC exchange format).

SUTRS

SUTRS is the Simple Unstructured Text Record Syntax - designed to allow ASCII text records to be transferred during a Z39.50 session. The syntax does not have any field structures - the data is supplied as text data with “line feeds” every 72 characters.  Using SUTRS format the Z-client has no real work to do to present the data.

OPAC

The OPAC syntax is designed to simulate a catalogue card or similar bibliographic reference format.  The OPAC syntax includes additional fields for the display of holdings and circulation data e.g. date due if on loan.

Summary

The summary record syntax is often used to present brief records to the user as the first response during the Search operation.  Fields include, title, author, call number place, date.

GRS-1

Generic Record Syntax - a complex tree like structure designed to represent a database record.  Although complex, it can be used to represent any type of database records.

Explain

The syntax used for querying the Explain database where information about available services is stored.  E.g. databases available, record syntaxes supported (versions of MARC), lists of terms available for the Browse function, Payment terms, languages etc.

Extended Services

When a user starts an extended service e.g. an ILL package, the details of the “task package” are held in the Extended Services database. These details may be queried via Z39.50 and information is presented usign the extended services record syntax. Information held is farily brief - package name, user ID, retention time permissions etc.