Message-Id: <199602011537.JAA05985@library.wustl.edu> Date: Thu, 1 Feb 1996 09:32:40 CST From: Chris Howard <mailto:choward@IASTATE.EDU> Subject: Re: Search History To: Multiple recipients of list WEBCAT-L <mailto:WEBCAT-L@WUVMD.WUSTL.EDU>
> >
> > This is an instance of the more general problem, that the HTTP
> > protocol is stateless, while Z39.50 is "stateful". Some
> > implementations attempt to solve this problem by passing a session
> > id to the Web client, which is then passed back to the Web server.
> > This is not without its problems; for example, the session id must
> > expire at some point in time, perhaps earlier than the user wants.
The "best" solution, in my opinion, would be a freely available browser that understood z39.50 protocol. If Java browsers become common, it may be possible to send state information as a JavaScript, to be held by the client. That would also be a nice solution.
I my humble and possible misguided opinion, having the server save state information for HTTP connections is an ugly hack. Unfortunately, sometimes there just isn't any other way to do what needs to be done.
-- Chris Howard mailto:choward@iastate.edu (515) 294-6521 Iowa State University Library -- Automated Systems Division