The difference between Medline and MedLARS

The difference between Medline and MedLars is not very clear. Medlars (Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System) is the computerised biomedical bibliographic retrieval system which was launched by the U.S. National Library of Medicine in 1964. It allows rapid access to NLM's store of biomedical information. Medlars was the first large scale, computer based, retrospective search service available to the general public. In 1971 an online version called MEDLINE ("MEDLARS Online") became available.

MEDLINE® is the best known of NLM's databases. Essentially Index Medicus online, MEDLINE enables anyone to query the NLM computer's store of journal article references on specific topics. It currently contains 9 million references going back to the mid-1960s.

More information: http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=8596

AND: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC545122/