Sms-Based Information Search And Retrieval System

ABSTRACT

This thesis “Short Messaging System(SMS) Based Information

Search and Retrieval System” describes a technology facility

that will enable local information to be collected and put in a

repository system (Database) such that a mobile user using the

facility will be able to search for such information from any

location where Global System for Mobile Communications(GSM)

services are available. The work concentrates on developing the

server-side program that will run as the search program to reply

every text message sent to it and to provide the most accurate

results through a database query and sending a response as a

replied text message. A structural relational database that

serves as the back end data storage was uniquely designed as

well as an algorithm that works as the search program for

retrieving information from the database. Hypertext Pre-

Processor (PHP) was used as the Server Side Scripting language

because of its ability to work as a plug-in application to most

Web-Servers like Internet Information Services (IIS) and Apache,

with MYSQL as the database engine. Finally, the developed webserver

application program with a database engine has been

hosted locally on a desktop server. A test of the package was

done using a simulated text message system through a Graphical

User Interface (GUI) web browser that was created purposely to

send a message and receive a reply from the web-server

application program. The research results when successfully

implemented on the GSM network services will no doubt enable

information dissemination and will also increase revenue and

patronage for the GSM service providers. In conclusion, the work

done in this research can be said to be relevant to the Global System for mobile communication industry.