[Paper Review] The Computing Research Repository: Promoting the Rapid Dissemination and Archiving of Computer Science Research

Joseph Y. Halpern, Carl Lagoze|ArXiv.org|Dec 22, 1998

Advanced Database Systems and Queries1 references4 citations

TL;DR

The Computing Research Repository (CoRR) is an electronic archive launched in 1998 to enable rapid dissemination and long-term archiving of computer science research. By integrating the Dienst protocol with the NCSTRL framework and leveraging LANL's e-Print repository infrastructure, CoRR provides a scalable, open, and extensible digital library foundation that supports interoperability and future growth in scholarly digital publishing for computer science.

ABSTRACT

We describe the Computing Research Repository (CoRR), a new electronic archive for rapid dissemination and archiving of computer science research results. CoRR was initiated in September 1998 through the cooperation of ACM, LANL (Los Alamos National Laboratory) e-Print archive, and NCSTRL (Networked Computer Science Technical Research Library. Through its implementation of the Dienst protocol, CoRR combines the open and extensible architecture of NCSTRL with the reliable access and well-established management practices of the LANL XXX e-Print repository. This architecture will allow integration with other e-Print archives and provides a foundation for a future broad-based scholarly digital library. We describe the decisions that were made in creating CoRR, the architecture of the CoRR/NCSTRL interoperation, and issues that have arisen during the operation of CoRR.

Motivation & Objective

• To address the need for a centralized, open-access repository for rapid dissemination of computer science research results.
• To create a reliable, scalable, and extensible digital archive for computer science publications.
• To integrate existing digital library infrastructures—specifically NCSTRL and LANL e-Print—to ensure robust access and management.
• To support long-term preservation and interoperability with other e-Print archives through standardized protocols.
• To establish a foundation for a future broad-based scholarly digital library in computer science.

Proposed method

• Adopting the Dienst protocol to enable distributed, extensible access to digital resources across repositories.
• Leveraging the established infrastructure and management practices of the LANL e-Print repository for reliability and scalability.
• Integrating with the NCSTRL networked technical report library to ensure open, standardized access to computer science research.
• Designing a modular architecture that supports future expansion and integration with other digital libraries.
• Using the arXiv-style submission and metadata model to support versioning, citation, and persistent identifiers.
• Implementing a decentralized yet coordinated system where multiple institutions can contribute and manage content.

Experimental results

Research questions

• RQ1 How can a scalable, open-access digital repository be built to accelerate the dissemination of computer science research?
• RQ2 What architectural principles enable reliable, long-term archiving of scholarly content in computer science?
• RQ3 How can existing digital library systems be integrated to form a cohesive, interoperable research archive?
• RQ4 What role can standardized protocols like Dienst play in enabling distributed access to scholarly content?
• RQ5 How can institutional collaboration between ACM, LANL, and NCSTRL support the creation of a sustainable research repository?

Key findings

• CoRR successfully launched in September 1998 as a collaborative initiative between ACM, LANL, and NCSTRL, establishing a new model for CS research dissemination.
• The integration of the Dienst protocol with NCSTRL and LANL’s infrastructure enabled a scalable, open, and extensible digital library architecture.
• The system demonstrated that institutional collaboration could effectively combine existing digital library technologies to create a unified, reliable archive.
• CoRR provided a foundation for future digital libraries by supporting interoperability, versioning, and persistent identifiers through standardized protocols.
• The architecture proved capable of supporting rapid submission, access, and long-term preservation of computer science research.
• The project validated the feasibility of using open protocols and shared infrastructure to build a sustainable, community-driven scholarly archive in computer science.