Abstract: An information retrieval system whereby identical search results can be derived irrespective of the kind of DBMS or OS. A keyword normalizing device normalizes a keyword transmitted from a client through a network. A normalized data searching device then searches normalized data in a data storage section for data corresponding to the normalized keyword, and supplies the data to source data acquiring device. The source data acquiring device acquires source data associated with the normalized data supplied thereto, from among source data in the data storage section, and supplies the acquired source data to a sorting device. The sorting device first sorts the normalized data and then the source data in order of the sorted normalized data, and supplies the resulting source data to a source data supply device. The source data supply device transmits the source data to the client through the network.

Abstract: An information processing system for normalizing an input character string and storing the normalized character string is provided whereby the required storage capacity can be cut down. Normalizing means normalizes an input character string, for example, , and generates , which is then supplied to restoration information generating means and storing means. The restoration information generating means is supplied also with the original character string , besides the normalized character string , and generates restoration information “F@&” consisting of ASCII characters, which is supplied to storing means. The storing means stores the normalized character string and the restoration information “F@&” in a manner associated with each other.