This feature allows the trivial search of RA, Dec bounded boxes and circles in source catalogs, a type of access that is a staple of astronomical use. In addition, several routines from the Starlink Astrometry Library have been included to allow conversion of coordinates and dates. It is often very difficult or impossible to add these types of primitive, but indispensable, features to a database system that does not provide them. Accessible with no entry threshold and with simple and concise options to programs, Starbase provides a complete set of relational database features. Columns can be projected, rows selected and tables may be joined and sorted with fast and efficient database commands.
Set operations are available to create the union, intersection and difference of database tables.
When these database operator programs are combined with the capabilities of the shell, a full featured tool for making queries and evaluating results is obtained. The SAO Catalog from the ADC CD-ROM was converted to Starbase format as a test of the Starbase database capabilities. This astronomical catalog is a 53 megabyte archive of more than 250 thousand objects. The speed of execution of queries on both indexed and un-indexed columns is comparable to similar queries done with a leading commercial database system. Integration with the IRAF CL IRAF is an important environment in use by the astronomical community.