Document retrieving method in a document managing system

Abstract

A document retrieving method in a document management system which manages documents, using a computer. The classification of documents is managed in accordance with a plurality of node trees constructed in a hierarchical structure. Each document is related to at least one node among a plurality of nodes in the node trees. In retrieval, an OR merge operation is performed on documents related to all the nodes ranging from the target node and extending through all lower nodes linked directly and indirectly to the target mode of a designated node tree to form a collection of documents. When a different node tree is designated, a similar OR operation is performed on documents related to all the nodes ranging from the target node to lower nodes linked directly and indirectly to the target node to create another collection of documents. These steps are repeated and an AND-marge operation is performed on the obtained collections of documents to create and output a final collection of documents.