Abstract: An electronic catalog system for identifying a component includes computer memory storage upon which is stored software and a database containing data for a number of types of the component. The data includes images, diagrams, dimensions and specifications for each of the types of the component. The system also includes a workstation and a server computer in communication with the computer memory storage and the workstation. The server computer executes the software so that images of the different types of the component are displayed on the workstation to a user. The user may select one of the plurality of types of the component. A number of alternative diagrams for the selected type of component are displayed and the user may select one. A dimension is illustrated on the selected diagram, and the user enters this dimension. A component matching the selected type, the selected diagram and the entered dimension is then displayed.