Options for putting CDS/ISIS databases on the internet

Abstract

Purpose – To review the variety of software solutions available for putting CDS/ISIS databases on the internet. To help anyone considering which route to take.

Approach – Briefly describes the characteristics, history, origin and availability of each package. Identifies the type of skills required to implement the package and the kind of application it is suited to. Covers CDS/ISIS Unix version, JavaISIS, IsisWWW, WWWISIS versions 3 and 5, Genisis, IAH, WWW-ISIS, and OpenIsis.

Findings – There is no obvious single ‘best’ solution. Several are free but may require more investment in acquiring the skills to install and configure them. The choice will depend on the user’s experience with CDS/ISIS formatting language, HTML, programming languages, operating systems, open source software, and so on.

Originality/value – There is detailed documentation available for most of these packages, but little previous guidance to help potential users to distinguish and choose between them.