The structure search systems are reviewed from the following points of view. 1. The importance of substructure searching in effective use of chemical information. 2. Needs and methods of handling two-dimensional chemical structures by computer. 3. Brief history and recent trends in these fields, especially the developments of on-line search services. 4. Functions which must be satisfied by an in-house search system for handling in-house substances. 5. Functions of SPHINCS, developed by Fuji

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... o Film, as an example of modern systems using computer graphics. * Structures can be built on a graphics display by non-chemists with use of templates and commands. * Generated connection tables are used for flexible and comprehensive searches . * Retrieved substances are displayed in two-dimensional forms familiar to chemists . 6. Problems to be solved for future developments.