Boolean index expressions for information retrieval
Bernd Wondergem, P. van Bommel, Th.P. van der Weide · 1998
Keywords still seem to form the basis for document content and query representation. Approaches to use more advanced linguistic structures, such as noun phrases, still are in an experimental phase. In addition, Boolean descriptor languages have often been applied for Information Retrieval. However, the synthesis of logic and linguistics in one descriptor language still is an open issue. In this paper, Boolean index expressions, combining Boolean logic and linguistic structure, are proposed as a good balance between expresiveness and practical issues. Boolean index expressions are obtained by augmenting regular index expressions with logical operators for disjunction, conjunction, and negation. Boolean index expressions are more expressive than both index expressions and the Boolean query language based on keywords. They allow a compact representation of logical combinations of index expressions. In addition, Boolean index expressions are still eÆciently parsible and their meaning can b...