The testing of relational indexing procedures by diagnostic computer programs

Information retrieval in a relational indexing system has been tested by means of a suite of computer programs which will carry out searches in a variety of ways, with, on demand, detailed diagnostic feedback at any stage. The performance of the system can thus be evaluated as a 'system' separately from user judgments of the output. Details of the programming are described. Some initial results are discussed with respect to strengths and possible weaknesses of the system.