PLIERS: A Parallel Information Retrieval System Using MPI

The use of MPI in implementing algorithms for Parallel Information Retrieval Systems is outlined. We include descriptions on methods for Indexing, Search and Update of Inverted Indexes as well as a method for Information Filtering. In Indexing we describe both local build and distributed build methods. Our description of Document Search includes that for Term Weighting, Boolean, Proximity and Passage Retrieval Operations. Document Update issues are centred on how partitioning methods are supported. We describe the implementation of term selection algorithms for Information Filtering and finally work in progress is outlined.