Indexing and Indexing Languages: Classification Schemes

1) Name the salient features of the DDC.
Some of the important salient features of DDC include:
i) It is a classification by discipline; it divides the entire universe of knowledge into ten main classes. Each class is again subdivided by ten and so on using decimal notation.
ii) This system uses pure and simple notation of Indo-Arabic numerals used decimally. Decimal notation is useful in depicting hierarchy of subjects and to accommodate always newly emerging topics.
iii) Its efficient Relative Index which brings together topics scattered by discipline in the Schedules.

2) What are the advantages of the WebDewey?
The advantages of WebDewey are: (i) continuous updation, (ii) many access points, and (iii) display options.

3) Name the different editions of UDC in English.
The UDC’s different editions are:
i) The UDC Complete Edition (2005)
ii) The UDC Medium Edition (1993)
iii) The UDC Abridged Edition (2003)
iv) The UDC Online.

4) State the salient features of the LC Classification.
LCC is purely enumerative i.e. the class numbers are available readymade and there is little provision of synthesis. It is highly detailed. It is based on the literary warrant available at the Library of Congress.

5) Enumerate the various notational digits of the CC-7.
 A/Z (Roman Capitals) (DGreek Delta) 0/9 Indo-Arabic Numerals a/z (i, l, oexcluded) (Roman smalls) indicator digits with anteriorising value,* (asterisk), ”(double inverted comma) ← (backward arrow). Ordinary indicator digits are () (parenthesis), & (ampersand) ‘(inverted comma). (dot): (colon); (semi colon), (comma)- (hyphen) = (equal to) →(forward arrow) + (plus).

6) Enumerate the salient characteristics of the BC.
i) The order of main classes is based upon the educational and scientific consensus.
ii) Notation is simple and short comprising of Roman Capitals and Indo-Arabic Numerals.
iii) The system uses retroactive notation which can be combined backwardly.
iv) The system is based upon modern facet analysis theories and methods first given by S.R. Ranganathan.

7) Why was BBK designed?
BBK was designed to represent the Marxist Leninist viewpoint in library classification. Its future is uncertain in the wake of the collapse of the Soviet Union.

8) State its main classes
The structure of BBK in Indo-Arabic numerals as follows:
1 Interdisciplinary knowledge.
2/5 Science, Technology. Agriculture and Medical sciences
6 Social Sciences
7 Culture and education
8 Language and literatures.
86 Religion, Atheism
87/88 Psychology
9 Universal subjects

9) List the major trends in library classification studies & research.
Some of the major trends in library classification are to:
i) base classification system on the modes of growth of subjects;
ii) standardise terminology;
iii) design general classification to serve simultaneously as special and general classification systems. Most of the general classification systems are officially available as in editions of varying details;
iv) discover more varieties of auxiliary subdivisions;
v) make the notation simple but more versatile; and
vi) find uses of classification in electronic databases, OPACs and Internet search engines

KEYWORDS
Classification Plus : The Library of Congress classification schedules on CD-ROM.
Classification Schedule : The core part a library classification system which lists subjects in a systematic way along with their notation and some notes if necessary given against each.
Common Isolates/ Auxiliaries : Known by different names in different systems, these are usually non-subject but recurring aspects of knowledge as embodied in documents. These are not required in
knowledge classification. These usually denote aspects of presentation of knowledge or media and format of documents.
Division by Discipline : Division of knowledge into broader areas of study such as Natural Science, Social Science, Humanities, and so on. All the modern classification systems now follow the DDC in dividing knowledge by discipline. James Duff Brown’s Subject Classification followed the reverse method of classification by topic, but failed
Enumerative Classification : A classification that systematically lists all kinds of subjects of past, present and fore seeable future. Class numbers are available ready-made in such a system. The Library of Congress Classification and Rider’s International Classification are at present two best examples of enumerative pattern
Faceted Classification : A species of classification that breaks a subject into some already postulated broad categories and facets to be combined in a redetermined order according to given rules to tailor a class number for a given specific subject. As contrasted from an enumerative classification, it provides no ready-made class numbers for compound and complex subjects. Modern trend is towards faceted and analytico-synthetic classifications.
General Classification System : A classification whose area of purview extends to the entire domain of the universe of knowledge, and for classifying documents in all media. In contrast are the special
classification schemes limited by subject area or by kind of documents e.g. classification of social sciences or classification for maps.
Hospitality of Notation : An essential quality of any notational system enabling it to accommodate new subjects at their logical places without at all disturbing the place of already existing subjects.
General Classification System : A classification whose area of purview limited to the narrower domain of the universe of knowledge, or for classifying documents in a particular media or format.
In contrast the general classification schemes are expanded to universe of knowledge.
Switching Language : A switching language is one that enables “indexing decisions recorded in one indexing language or classification system to be ‘translated’ into equivalent decisions in another” – (Eric Hunter). BSO is one example of such a switching or exchange language for information transfer. It is also known as roof classification.
WebDewey : DDC-22 accessible through the Internet.

Source: IGNOU Study Material