IDENTIFICATION CODE: Each code section in the database will display in the results list with the code citation followed by the initial words of the title. For example: 2USC Sec. 661a. Definitions.

MAXIMUM RESPONSES: The default settings for SWAIS and for the WinWAIS/MacWAIS client software is to return a maximum of 40 responses to a query. To locate a larger number of documents, you will need to change the setting. In SWAIS type a lower case o at the SOURCE SELECTION menu to change your options. In WinWAIS, select Edit and then Preferences from the pull down menu. In MacWAIS, select File and then Preferences from the pull down menu.

Good sample searches{1} for the U.S. Code database are:

US Code Citation [2USC661.ASK]{2}
QUERY: 2USC661*
RESULT:  2USC Sec. 661. Purpose
         2USC Sec. 661a. Definitions

This search retrieves a U.S. Code section by citation (2 USC 661). There are no spaces in the citation. Use of the asterisk (*) retrieves subsections as well. [Note: The subsections do not appear in alphanumeric order due to the relevance ranking feature of the WAIS server software. Relevance is computed based on several factors, including the occurrence of the search terms in the document title, the frequency of the terms as a percentage of the total document size and conformance with the exact search phrasing.]

Public Law Number [103-40.ASK]
QUERY:"pub l 103-40"
ALTERNATE:pub ADJ l ADJ 103 ADJ 40
RESULT:44USC Sec. 4101. Electronic directory; online access to 
               POPNAM Government Printing Office Electronic Information 

This search retrieves a U.S. Code section by Public Law number (P.L. 103-40). It also retrieves the Table of Popular Names entry referencing that Public Law number. A phrase may be entered surrounded by quotation marks (" ") or with each searchable word separated by the ADJ operator. [NOTE: In this database the correct abbreviation for Public Law is Pub. L.]

Statutes-at-Large Citation
[107STAT.ASK]
QUERY:"107 stat 112"
RESULT:44USC Sec. 4101. Electronic directory; online access to 
                POPNAM Government Printing Office Electronic Information 

This search retrieves a U.S. Code section by Statutes-at-Large citation (107 Stat 112). It also retrieves the Table of Popular Names entry referencing that Statute citation.

Section Amended by Subsequent Legislation
[GAO.ASK]
QUERY:"General Accounting Office" AND "Personnel Appeals"
RESULT:31USC Sec. 751. Organization

This search retrieves a Code section (31 USC 751) that was affected by a law passed during the 2d Session of the 103d Congress (P.L. 103-283) and again by a law passed in the 1st Session of the 104th Congress (P.L.104-1). This document shows the notation used to identify sections amended subsequent to the compilation of the database.

To determine the actual text of the changes, retrieve Public Law 104-1 from the Public Laws database using the search "public law 104-1". Since there is no database of public laws from the 103d Congress, retrieve the enrolled bill for Public Law 103-283 from the Congressional Bills database using the following steps:

Once the Public Law number is identified, a search for "public law 103-283" in the 1994 History of Bills database will identify the Congressional Bill number (H.R. 4454). [NOTE: In this database the words Public Law are not abbreviated.]

Once the Congressional Bill number is known, a search for "H.R. 4454" in the 103d Congress Bills database can be used to retrieve the enrolled version of the bill (enr). The enrolled bill is the text that was sent to the President for signature and became law.

Images; Wide Tables [FLAG.ASK]
QUERY:stars AND stripes
RESULT:4USC Sec. 1. Flag; stripes and stars on...

This search retrieves a Code section (4 USC 1) with an image in a TIFF (scanned image) file and a wide table reformatted for screen display in the ASCII text file. TIFF files are created by scanning images at 300 dots per inch (DPI). Retrieving the TIFF will invoke the WinWAIS/MacWAIS graphics viewer and display a map of the area subject to the regulations. Retrieving the ASCII text file and searching for TIFF will display the tag at the location where the graphic designated as TIFF appears in the printed U.S. Code page. [NOTE: TIFF files are not accessible with SWAIS.]

A wide table appears in the text file just below the tag for the TIFF file. The WinWAIS/MacWAIS text viewer permits the user to scroll across the width of the table. Columns and headings will align properly if the text viewer is set to use a non-proportional font, such as courier. Select (E)dit and (F)ont Preferences from the text viewer pull down menus to change the font.

United States Code, Page 2May 1995

FOOTNOTES********************************

{1} The results of these sample searches are described as they will appear using SWAIS or the WinWAIS and MacWAIS client software customized for use with GPO Access. The searches can be performed with other WAIS client software, but the display of the results may vary.

{2} When a file name, such as 2USC661.ASK, appears in brackets at the beginning of a sample search, there is a saved search with that file name available for use with the GPO Access WinWAIS and MacWAIS client software. The saved searches are available on The Federal Bulletin Board and by anonymous FTP from eids04.eids.gpo.gov.

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