Inter-machine protocols for electronic libraries

Emerging technology permits electronic document libraries which store large numbers of images for access in wide-area networks. The expected statistics and security needs of electronic library applications favor new client-server session protocols. The author proposes a scheme that makes communications efficient in a well-defined sense. DocSS, a document storage subsystem, implements the scheme. An early version is in production in human service (welfare, taxation, police) and engineering applications.<>