TOQE: the Thesaurus Query Expander

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TOQE, the Thesaurus Query Expander, is a standardized interface definition for accessing thesaurus systems that may be integrated into search engines or all kinds of query-processing pipelines.

Implemented as an XML-based web service, it provides the client with a fixed set of methods, thereby hiding the complexity and structure of the underlying thesaurus and expands the query in a thesaurical meaning based on the desired mode of operation.

The process of querying a thesaurus becomes transparent, generic and independent of the thesaurus used.



Documentation

• Specifications
  • System Layout
    TOQE itself is implemented as a Web Service. A client should interact with TOQE, which then queries a database backend and returns the requested data. So the desired design is that TOQE acts as a wrapper for a thesaurus database.
    Communication is divided into three seperate Layers that are connected through constant API's
    
    
  • Client Layer
    On top of the architecture we have the client Layer. The client Layer is described by Use Cases.
  
  
  
  • Service Layer
    The Service Layer wraps the database and provides a Service API on the one side. On the other side it describes the DB API that databases have to implement, to be compatible with the Service.
    
    
  • Database Layer
    Each database connected to the Service has a piece of software, the so called "database module" on top of it. This module implements the DB API. That means "Thesaurus Databases" might be of any structured kind (XTM, SKOS, relational databases, other) and should not be limited to relational databases only. As long as the corresponding Database Module implements the DB API.

Demo

• Search for Calendula arvensis in Euro+Med Plantbase
  
• Search for related names and synonyms of Calendula arvensis, nameID = 7000009, in Euro+Med Plantbase, Compositae Greuter
  
• Search for related names, synonyms and hierarchy in the taxonomic tree (recursive search) for Calendula arvensis, nameID = 7000009, in Euro+Med Plantbase, Compositae Greuter
  
  
  
• Make your own search
  
  • Search based on a name:
    Select thesaurus Euro+Med Plantbase Standardliste Fauna Europaea ERMS
    
    
  • Search based on NameID and referenceID (both mandatory fields):
    Select thesaurus Euro+Med Plantbase Standardliste Fauna Europaea ERMS Select relation All concepts without browsing the taxonmic hierarchy All concepts with browsing the taxonomic hierarchy