Document processing method and apparatus for searching documents having

Abstract

A method and an apparatus for processing documents expressed in terms of the graph based on the graph theory. Grouped constituent description series as the contents of a predescribed document are stored in a constituent description series retaining section. A first identifier acquisition section acquires an identifier series corresponding to the constituent satisfying a designated first condition from the grouped constituent description series that are retained in the constituent description series retaining section. The acquired identifier series is stored in an identifier series retaining section. A second identifier acquisition section acquires the identifier series satisfying a designated second condition from the identifier series that are retained in the identifier series retaining section. The acquired identifier series is stored in the identifier series retaining section in a state that it can be distinguished from other constituent description series already retained therein. A constituent description series acquisition section acquires a constituent description series corresponding to the identifier series that is acquired from the identifier series retaining section by the second identifier acquisition section, from the specified constituent description series that are retained in the constituent description series retaining section.