cc7 : an evaluation of its development in three...

Annals of Library Science and Documentation 1989, 36(1-2), 1-27

CC7 : AN EVALUATION OF ITS DEVELOPMENTIN THREE PLANES

AMITABHA CHATTERJEEReaderDepartment of Library and

Information ScienceJadavpur UniversityCalcutta.

GOVINDA GOPAL CHOUDHURYLecturerDepartmen t of Library and

Information ScienceVidyasagar UniversityMidnapore, West Bengal.

The new edition of Co Ion Classification brou gh t (Clx)out after a long interval, has incorporated mostof the developments in the idea plane and nota- (CPI)tional plane reported in Library Science with aSlant to Documentation and DRTC Annual (E)Seminar volumes during the last two decades,making it a 'freely face-ted' scheme. But at the (lE)same time some errors have crept into it whichare bound to create problems for the users. Both (ED)these aspects have been critically examined heredrawing comparison, where necessary, with the (FC)previous edition of the scheme. The study re-veals the enormously improved capabilities of (GD)the scheme in meeting the challenge posed bythe ever expanding horizon of the universe of (IN)su bjects as 'also the inconsistencies and lack o]:cohesion in various schedules. (M)

ABBREVIATIONS (lMl)

(ACI)

(AD)

(BC)

(BF)

(BS)

CC6

CC7

(CdS)

(CI)

(CEI)

(CMPI) :

Anteriorising Common Isolates

Alphabetical Device

Basic Class

Basic Facet

Basic Subject

Colon Classification, 6th ed. Reprint(with amendments), 1963

Colon Classification, 7th ed. V.l,1987

Compound Subject

Common Isolate

Common Energy Isolate

Common Matter-Property Isolate

Vol 36 Nos 1-2 March& June 1989

class Number

Common Personality Isolate

Energy Facet

Energy Facet, First Round

Enumeration Device

Fundamental Category

Geographical Device

Isolate Number

Matter Facet

Matter Facet, First Round, FirstLevel

(1M2) Matter Facet, First Round, SecondLevel

(MC) Main Class

(MD) Mnemonic Device

(MM) Matter-Method Facet

(lMM1): Matter-Method Facet, First Round,First Level

(2MM1): Matter-Method Facet, SecondRound, First Level

(MMt) Matter-Material Facet

(MP) Matter-Property Facet

(lMP1): Matter-Property Facet, First Round,First Level

(MS) Main Subject

1

CHATERJEE & CHOUDHURY

(P)

(lP1)

Personality Facet

Personality Facet, First Round, FirstLevel

(1P2) Personality Facet, First Round,Second Level

(2P)

(PCI)

Personality Facet, Second Round

Posteriorising Common Isolate

Prolegomena 1; Prolegomena to Library Classi-fication, 1st ed.

Prolegomena 2; Prolegomena to Library Classi-fication, 2nd ed.

Prolegomena 3 : Prolegomena to Library Classi-fication, 3rd ed.

(S) Space Facet

(S2) Space Facet, Second Level

(SD) Subject Device

(SI) Special Isolates

(T) 'Time Facet

(T2) Time Facet, Second Level

PROLOGUE

The dream of Ranganathan has at last cometrue. The seventh edition of his brain-child,Colon Classification, has come out almost 24years after the publication of the previous edi-tion. The long awaited new version of the sche-me has generated much interest in the libraryworld and some librarians have already airedtheir instant views on the scheme. [3,21]. Thispaper attempts to critically evaluate the develop-ment of the scheme in all the three planes draw-ing comparison with the previous edition andtracing the background wherever needed. Thestudy is based on the first volume of the newedition and does not include other volumes com-prising index and worked-out examples whichare yet to be published.

INTRODUCTION

Colon Classification is undoubtedly the mostoutstanding contribution of Ranganathan. The

2

scheme is the first and perhaps the only generalclassification scheme that is a perfect specimenof what an analytico-synthetic scheme shouldbe. From its very inception in 1933, CC pavedthe way for greater research in the field of libra-ry classification which culminated in the enun-ciation of a Dynamic Theory of Library Classifi-cation now recognised as the sound basis forconstructing a modern classification schemewhich has to withstand the onslaught of themultidimensional and complex growth of theuniverse of subjects.

THE BACK-DROP

CC has developed in three distinct stages. Thefirst stage or version-1 covered editions 1 to 3,version-2 editions 4 to 6 (reprint with amend-ments) and version-3 the newly published edi-tion 7.

Version-I

Colon Classification appeared in the field of lib-rary classification with a bang since it revolu-tionised the whole idea of a classification bytotally abandoning the practice of enumeratingcompound subjects. and providing only briefschedules of basic subjects, common isolates,and special isolates with rules to guide the classi-fier in construction of class numbers by synthe-sising appropriate isolate numbers with the helpof a connecting symbol, viz., colon. The schemewas aptly termed as a 'composite classification'by Bliss. [1, p.299]. The version-1, which is nowcategorised as 'fully-but-rigidly faceted' scheme,was, however, not consciously based on anyobjectively formulated theory and containedseveral rigidities which soon made it difficult forthe scheme to keep pace with the increasingchanges and proliferation in the universe of sub-jects.

Version-Z

Continued research that resulted in the formula-~ion of the Dynamic Theory of Library Classifi-cation made it possible to greatly improve theversion-2 by basing it on the newly developedtheory and giving it the much needed capabilityof interpolation and extrapolation in arrays andchains. The new features of version-2 includedimplementation of the postulates of five funda-mental categories and rounds and levels formula-

Ann Lib Sci Doc

CC7 : CRITICAL EXAMINATION

ted in the idea plane and use of different indica-tor digits for different. facets. As a result of theremoval of severe rigidities in the number andthe sequence of facets that can occur in a com-pound subject, this version became 'almostfreely faceted' in nature. [15, p.13]

Version-3

Inspite of version-2 being based on the DynamicTheory, CC started facing new problems as arti-cle-level subjects began to be treated at the booklevel. This necessitated development and emp-loyment of a deeper and more dynamic theoryfor the new version [15, p.18-19]. To this endwork continued in DRTC and several new con-cepts were evolved. Finally, the new version wascompleted incorporating these new ideas in1969. This version, which was described byRanganathan as a 'freely faceted' one and was"expected to be worthy of being continuedwithout serious changes for a period much largerthan the earlier versions" [15, p.21] could not,however, see the light of the day during his life-time. The version in the form of CC7 that hasrecently been published is based on the samemould that had been cast by Ranganathan, withsome revisions.

IDEA PLANE

CC7 has incorporated most of the developmentsand changes that took place in the idea planeand reported in Library Science with a Slant toDocumentation and DRTC Annual Seminarvolumes during the last 25 years. The chief deve-lopments that have brought in some importantchanges in CC7 over CC6 are discussed in thesucceding sections.

Facets

Components of (CdS)

Facets, which were earlier thought to be com-ponents of (BC) [13, p.1.22] have now beenrecognised as components of compound sub-jects [14, p.38]. Basic subject itself is the (BF)in every (CdS) which may also have one or moreof the five isolate facets, viz., Personality,Matter, Energy, Space and Time. These havebeen formalised by enunciation of new postulat-es in Chapter CP of CC7.

Vol 36 Nos 1-2 March & June 1989

LEVELS TO SUB-FACETS

Some of the facets which were earlier thought tobe level-2 manifestation of the respective (FC)have now been recognised as sub-facets of thelevel-1 manifestation of the concerned (FC).This has happened mainly in cases of Space andTime where it has been assumed that Space andTime can occur only in one round, i.e. lastround and possibly in one level only. As a result,the (S2) and (T2) isolates found in CC6 havebeer "eated as sub-facets in the respective sche-dules of CC7. Consequently, the isolates belong-ing to these subfacets are now used as speciatorsor special components to form compound isolat-es whenever required.

MATIER FACET

It has been recognised that there are threevariants of Matter facet as against only one inCC6. These are Matter-Property, Matter-Material and Matter-Method. But surprisingly, inChapter CN of CC7 only the first two variantshave been enumerated, though in the schedulesof special isolates, isolates belonging to all thethree variants are found. Following the recogni-tion of Matter-Property some of the isolateswhich had earlier been enumerated in Problemschedules in version-1 and in Energy schedules inversion-2, were found to be manifestations ofMatter-Property. CC7 has modified the schedul-es accordingly.

COMPOUND FACET

It was found convenient to denote an isolate fa-cet represented by a Compound Isolate by theterm Compound Isolate Facet. A CompoundIsolate has more than one component, at leastone of which is an enumerated isolate and theother components may be either enumeratedisolates serving as speciators or special compo-nents. Combining of two or more componentswas found necessary not only in case of IsolateFacets but also in case of Basic Facets.

CHANGES IN STRUCTURE

Consequent to new developments in the ideaplane, the facet structures (or facet formulae) of

3


compound subjects going with most of the basicsubjects have changed. A table showing suchchanges, originally published in 1969 [15, p,49-50] , has been reproduced in chapter DR of CC7for guidance of classifiers. unfortunately, thetable has neither been revised nor updated in thecontext of the developments after 1969. As aresult, while facet structures of (CdS) going withmany (BS) are not available in the table, facetstructures of some shown therein do not tally

(CdS) going with(BS)

Facet structure inTable

with those prefixed to respective special isolateschedules. The table covers facet structures for(CdS) going with only 47 (BS) out of 150 basicsubjects for which special isolate schedules havebeen provided. It even omits facet structures for(CdS) going with four (BS) from the originaltable quoted. An idea of the extent of differenc-es between facet structures shown in the tableand given in the schedules of special isolates maybe obtained from the following examples.

Facet structure in the schedules of(SI)

2 Library Science 2, (P); (MP) 2, (IPI), (IP2)j (IMPI) : (IE)

I Botany I, (P), (P2); (MP) : (E) I, (IFI), (IP2); (IMPI); (IMMt) : (IE)

L Medicine L, (P); (MP) : (E), (2P) L, (IPI); (IMPI) : (IE)

V History V, (P), (P2); (MP) V, (IPI); (IMPI) : (IE); (2MMI)

In the circumstances it is doubtful whether thetable can really be of any help to classifiers forwhom it is given.

ERRORS IN STRUCTURE

The facet structures prefixed to the schedules ofspecial isolates are also not free from errors.While in some cases the facet structures do notcover all the facets for which special isolateshave been enumerated, some others include eventhose facets for which no special isolates areavailable. For example, the facet structure for(CdS) going with MK Leather Work or J Agricul-ture does not show (1E) facet, though energy iso-lates are available in the schedules. On the otherhand the facet structure for (CdS) going with(V) History includes (E) and (2MM1) facets butthere is no schedule for either (E) or (2MM1). Insome cases again, the components of facet struc-tures do not tally with the schedules. For exam-ple, for (CdS) going with P Linguistics, the fol-lowing facet structure has been recommended:(1P1)r (1P2); (1M1); (1M2}; but in the schedulesthere are special isolates for (1MP1) and (1MM1)and not of (1M1) and (1M2). There are also ex-treme cases where no facet structure has been

4

provided at all, e.g. in the special isolate schedu-les for (CdS) going with E Chemistry and YSociology. Exclusion of speciators and specialcomponents from facet structures is also nothelpful from the point of view of classifiers.

Foci/Isolates

Common Isolates

The concept of Common Isolates had been deve-loped by Ranganathan to a great extent even inversion-2 of CC differentiating (CI) representingapproch materials from (CI) manifesting variousfundamental categories. This work has been car-ried on further in CC7, as a result the schedulesof Common Energy Isolates and Common Perso-nality Isolates have been considerably expanded(Chapters DK and DM). Besides, it has also beenpossible to identify a good number of CommonMatter-Property Isolates (Chapter DL). Thesehave helped in reducing the size of the schedulesof special isolates, though in some cases thecommon isolates have unnecessarily been enu-merated again along with special isolates. Forexample, almost all the isolates enumerated inthe schedule of 'Energy (E) isolates' in BYC

Ann Lib Sci Doc


Astrophysics have been taken from the scheduleof Common Energy Isolates in Chapter DK.

(ACI) and (PCI)

The two types of (CI) mentioned werenamed in CC Version-2 as Anteriorising Com-mon Isolates and Posteriorising Common Isolat-es. Ranganathan later replaced the term Poste-riorising Common Isolates by the term CommonFundamental Category Isolates [15, p.34]. CC7,however, has not used any comprehensive termto denote (CPI), (CMPI) and (CEI). It is alsosilent as to whether these isolates are to beattached only to class numbers constructed tothe fullest extent as per facet structure (CC6,Rule 203) or they are to be used in any roundand any level of the respective facet of any(CdS) whenever needed. If these are to be usedin the latter manner, a document such as 'News-papers of India - a critical appraisal' can only beclassified as 4,211.44 (i.e. Newspapers of India)and not coextensively as 4,211.44:aTC (i.e.Newspapers of India - a critical appraisal).

Language Isolates

The schedule of Language Isolates remainsalmost unchanged in CC7 except two new deve-lopments. First, the variants and stages of a lan-guage have been recognised as Special Compo-nents. These were not included in the corres-ponding schedule of CC6, but were treated asisolates belonging to (1P2) of P Linguistics.Secondly, the use of (AD) has been recommend-ed for individualising non-Sematic languagesthough (GD) has been preferred for all other lan-guages not listed in the schedule.

Space Schedule

The schedule of Space Isolates has been consi-derably updated in CC7 though at the same timemany ~eographical entities which are smallerthan a state or province but previously availablein the schedule of Space Isolates in CC6 havebeen withdrawn. Use of Principle of Geographi-cal Contiguity and (AD) have been recommend-ed for further subdivision of scheduled geogra-phical isolates and individ ualisation of specific


geographical features [14, p.91] . Further, as stat-ed in section 312, Space Facet has been recogni-sed as having only one level and consequentlythe schedule of (S2), as found in CC6, has beenomitted and the physical features representedearlier by (S2) isolates have been treated as Spe-cial Components. The schedule, however, suffersfrom omissions, mistakes and inconsistencies,e.g. Asian country of Japan has no place in theschedule though some of its parts have, Sikkimhas been treated as a separate country and not asa state of India, while Eurasia has been enumera-ted at least twice with different isolate numbers.Besides, a number of small islands which havebeen enumerated in the schedule of CommunityIsolates for Compound Subjects going with VHistory find no place in the schedule of SpaceIsolates and hence cannot be shown when re-quired in any Compound Subject going with anyother (BS). Some such isolates are 9352 Guam,9354 Palau, 93593 Volcano Island, etc. IsolateNumbers of some other small islands represent-ing Community Isolates in V History do nottally with the (IN) which represent those islandsin the Schedule of Space Isolates though theCommunity Isolates in V History have been de-rived by (GD), e.g. Faeroe Islands 923 (in His-tory Schedule) and 573T (in Space Schedule),Fiji Island 9348 (in History Schedule) and434W1 (in Space Schedule).

Time Isolates

Similar to Space Facet, Time Facet has also beenshown as having only one level and features timeisolates belonging to (T2) in CC6 have beentaken in CC7 to be belonging to same level towhich other Time isolates belong. Provision, has,however, been made for forming Compound Iso-lates by combining the calendar time isolatesand featured time isolates. Besides, future hasalso been treated as an isolate in this schedule.Some Time Isolates have also been enumeratedin the (SI) schedules for (CdS) going with V His-tory thereby unnecessarily lengthening the sizeof that schedule.

Environment Divisions

Commodities, living organisms, human beingsand special groups develop special properties and

5


even undergo structural changes in extra-normalconditions [14, p.42]. Specialised studies beingconducted and literature produced on the reac-tions and changes in entities in such conditions,made it necessary for the classification schemesto make room for such literature. CC realisedthis quite early and made provision for classify-ing such literature treating studies of entities inextra-normal conditions as specials. Some suchtopics enumerated in CC6 are:

J9D Dry farmingJ98 Soilless farmingL9H Tropical medicine

L9T Aviation MedicineL9V War medicine

L9X Industrial medicine

The idea has been further developed in CC7which provides a separate schedule of Environ-ment Divisions (Chapter DO). The schedule isquite exhaustive and provides autonomy to theclassifier to construct class numbers of Environ-merited Basic Subjects as and when required.Thus we can construct some (CN) like

H-9Uk2 Desert Geology U-9Uk2 Desert Geo-graphy

K-9Uk2 Desert Zoology Y-9Uk2 Desert Socio-logy

and so on.

Formation and Sharpening of Foci

CC6 recognised six devices for formation of newfoci and sharpening of existing foci, viz., Geogra-phical Device, Subject Device, Mnemonic Device,Alphabetical Device and Superimposition Device,while CC7 recognises five, viz., ChronologicalDevice, Geographical Device, Subject Device,Alphabetical Device and Enumeration Device. Itis interested to note that though CC6 also used(Enumeration Devic9, it did not recognise that asa device; similarly, though CC7 has used Mnemo-nic Device and Superimposition (or CompoundIsolate) Device, it has not recognised them asdevices. The schedules or rules generally indicatethe place where a device is to be used. In CC6Superimposition Device could be used wheneverneeded by a classifier, but for others there wasno clear indication as to whether they could beused without specific instruction. CC7, by dec-

6

laring that "the focus in a facet may be eitherformed or sharpened whenever warranted (evenby the classifier himself)" by any of the fivedevices (Chapter CT) has apparently liheralisedthe use of devices. In case of (AD) it has morespecifically suggested that "the (AD) can beused without any restriction in an array of order1 or when the (AD) number succeeds an EmptyDigit" [14, pA5] though Ranganathan did notearlier encourage the use of this device whenhelpful sequence could be achieved by any othermethod of subdivision [13, p.33]. As a matterof fact, CC7 has made use of this device abun-dantly in various schedules. In the (Specialisolate) schedules for (CdS) going with CPhysics (AD) has been used in as many as101 isolates, while in the (Special isolate)schedules for (CdS) going with BYC Astrophy-sics it has been employed in 19 places [3, p.13].However, the most significant and profitable useof the device has been made in 0 Literature,where it has been suggested that (AD) may beused for denoting isolates in Work Facet as analternative to Group Notation [14, p.249]. Thiswill certainly facilitate the work of the classifiersince he will no longer require any prior ideaabout the total number of works of an author asrequired for using Group Notation.

Speciators/Special Components

In 1964 Ranganathan introduced "the conceptof specifying various types of whole ideas by avariety of qualifiers" [6, p.100]. These quali-fiers were named speciators. Further, some ideaswere identified which could serve only as com-ponents of compound subjects. These werenamed Special Components. Since both have thesame capability of producing a change in theconnotation of the isolate or the subject towhich they may be attached, they were thoughtto be varieties of the same concept and renamedas Speciator of Kind 1 and Speciator of Kind 2respectively. The former has been defined as anyrecognised isolate idea that may qualify anothersuch idea, while the latter has been defined as"an idea which is not by itself an isolate idea ora subject but can be used as a speciator goingwith a host isolate idea or its subdivisions" [5,p.22-23] .

Ann Lib Sci Doc

CC7: CRITICAL EXAMINATION

Speciator Vs. Special Component

CC7, however, presents serious inconsistencies intreating these concepts. While in the idea planeit sticks to the old terminology, viz., Speciatorand Special Component, in the notational plane,it recognises two kinds of speciators and prescri-bes two separate connecting symbols viz., '-' and'=' for them [14, p.108] and at the same timeprovides schedules of special Components with'=' as indicator digit in some subject fields [14,pAl] . Even the same ideas have been shown asspeciators at one place and again as Special Com-ponents at another place, e.g. 1=96 Atlanticcountries (in Space Isolate schedule where =96 isa Special Component) and V1=96 History ofAtlantic countries (in V History schedule where=96 is a Speciator of Kind 2).

Speciator Vs. Isolate

As per defmition, the Speciators of Kind 1, canserve both as isolates as well as speciators. Natur-ally, there is hardly any need of enumeratingsuch speciators in the schedules. The isolatesenumerated in the schedules may be taken asSpeciators of Kind 1 whenever necessary. But inmany (BS) one can find schedules of Speciatorsof Kind 1 for formation of compound subjects,e.g. in W Political Science there are schedules ofSpeciators of Kind 1 going with the schedule of(lP1) isolates. Incidentally some of the Specia-tors of Kind 1 going with (lP1) isolate 1 State inthat schedule are -14 Titular, -15 Legal, -16 Poli-tical, etc. It is really doubtful whether these spe-ciators can be called Speciators of Kind 1, sinceby themselves they can hardly represent someisolate ideas. What is more interesting is thatsimilar concepts have been shown as speciatorsand again as isolates not only in different (BS)but even in the same (BS), e.g.

W, 2-192 Rural Government,W, 2-14 Regional Government

Y, 341 Rural Community,W, 9J82 Regional Party

Speciator Vs. Matter-Method

As indicated in section 313, the method of anAction was thought to be the manifestation of

Vol 36 Nos 1.2 March & June 1989

(FC) Matter. But further research has establishedthat while the Actand (the receiver of Action) isthe manifestation of Personality, the Actor (thegenerator of Action), the Method of Action andthe Instrument of Action are all qualifiers toAction and hence they should be treated as Spe-ciators to Action [ 4, p.174]. Thus Matter facetno longer has three variants but only two andMethods are only Speciators to Energy. Thisdevelopment is not consistently reflected inCC7. While the Actors and Instruments havebeen usually treated as Speciators, e.g. BYC, K:aR2-a1 Optical observation of celestial bodiesand BYC, K:aR2-a1-c1 Optical observation ofcelestial bodies by telescope. Methods have beentreated as Speciators in some places and again asMatter-Method in some other places, e.g. BYC,K:aR2-b1 Photometric observation of celestialbodies where photometric method has beentreated as a Speciator and J; 4:6;3 Treatment ofdiseases of agricultural plants by spray methodwhere spray method has been treated as Matter-Method.

Undefined Concept

According to Ranganathan, isolates and specia-tors are completely different concepts. The sameterm, as mentioned in section 332, may serveboth as an isolate and as a speciator, but it willbe designated either as an isolate or a speciatoraccording to the function it performs in a con-text. CC7 brings into use in Chapter EC a newterm combining both the terms, viz., CommonSpeciator Isolates, the meaning of which is diffi-cult to understand since the term remains un-defined.

Basic Subjects

A Basic Class was earlier thought to be either oftwo types, viz., Main Class or Canonical Class,while Systems and Specials were thought to beamplifying facets belonging to respective (BC).The new developments and reorganisation ofthought in the idea plane led to identification of(BS) of the following kinds:

7


Type of (BS) Mode of formation----------------------------------------------------------

Examples----------------------------------------~-----------------Main Subjects orMain Basic .Subjects

Fission of Universeof Subject (Postulated)

Fission of Traditional (MS)

Tranditional (MS)

Adjunct (MS)

Fused (MS) Fusion of two or more (MS)

Distillation of theoryout of practice

Clustering on a nodal idea

Distilled (MS)

Clustered (MS)

Non-Ma£n (BS)

Canonical (BS) Fission of (MS)

Specials (BS) Lamination of Host (MS)and a constituent

Systems (BS) -do-

Environmented (BS) -do-

Multiple-Compound (BS)

Lamination of Host (MS)and more than oneconstituent

Agglomerate (BS) Agglomeration ofmore than one (BS)

B MathematicsC Physics

HX MiningKX Animal Husbandry

GX BiochemistryWX Geopolitics

6 Museology8 Management Science

OX(E1, 118) GoldAXK Space Science

HV3 VolcanologyR1 LogicJ-9B Dry FarmingL-9F Geriatrics

S-N Gestalt PsychologyX-J Capitalism

D-9Uk2 Desert EngineeringL-9U3 Tropical Medicine

X-J-9H CapitalisticPublic Enterprise

L-L-9C Homeopathic ChildMedicine

K*Z Animal SciencesQ*Z Religion and Philosophy

Note: The examples are taken from the Schedule of Basic Subjects in Chapter DE of CC7

It may be noted that though the use of theterms Main Subjects/Main Basic Subjects andNon-Main Basic Subjects were discontinued in1973 and replaced by the terms Primary BasicSubjects and Non-Primary Basic Subjects respec-tively [9, p.156], CC7 uses both sets of termssimultaneously. For example, V History hasbeen shown as a Traditional Main Subject inChapter DC, while in Chapter EV it has beenmentioned as a Primary Basic Subject.

8

Distilled (MS)

With the recognition of distillation as one of themodes of formation of subjects, some of thenew (BC), mainly relating to techniques, whichhad been enumerated at the end of the array ofMain Classes in CC6, such as (p) ConferenceTechnique of (X) Management have been recog-nised as Distilled (MS) and placed at the begin-ning of the array of (BS) in CC7.

Ann Lib Sci Doc


Agglomerates

Agglomeration has been defined as "the processof collecting together of entities into largermasses without cohesion among the compo-nents" [8, p.2 02] .The entities i.e. Main Subjectsin the context of the classification schedule, socollected are called as agglomerate. An agglome-rate may consist of consecutive constituents(agglomerate of Kind 1) e.g. Physical Sciences ornon-consecutive constituents (Agglomerate ofKind 2) e.g. Geology and Geography. CC6 enu-merated seven Agglomerates of Kind 1 in the listof Basic Classes. The number of such Agglome-rates has increased to 39 in CC7 and there is alsoprovision in the notational plane for accornmo-

Types of study Focus of studyor nodal idea

Area Study Geographical area

General PersonStudy

Person

Entity-PhenomenonStudy

Entity!Phenomenon

dating more Agglomerates of this kind. But it issilent about the Agglomerates of Kind 2. Never-theless, CC7 sticks to the previously used termPartial Comprehension and does not use theterm Agglomerate.

Cluster

When "several specialised studies on a particularphenomenon or an entity are gathered togetherinto a field of study" it may be called a cluster[7, p.8]. The idea of cluster, which was in em-bryonic stage in CC6, has been extensively deve-loped in CC7 which recognises the followingtypes of clusters:

Examples

OU44 Indology

OU5 Occidentalia

OWG Gandhiana

OX (El, 118) Gold

AXG Ocean Science

Note: The examples are based on the Schedule of Basic Subjects in Chapter-Df

However, CC7 uses the erstwhile term Subject-Bundle and not Cluster.

Number of (BS)

Literary warrant has necessitated increase in thenumber of (BS) in CC7. When counted on thebasis of both the schedule of (BS) and the sche-dules of (SI), the total number of (BS) in CC7(excluding postulated Traditional Main Subjects,the number of which remains same at 26) is 670,which include Generalia (BS), Adjunct (BS),Canonical (BS) and Compound (BS). This isagainst 439 Basic Classes in CC6, which includedGeneralia (BC), Adjunct (BC), Technique (BC),Canonical Divisions, Systems and Specials. Thenumber of agglomerates has also similarly goneup from 7 to 39. Besides, CC7 has also enume-


rated 12 dusters or subject-bundles. Thus, theprovision for construction of new (BS) by theuse of devices notwithstanding, the total numberof (BS), including Traditional (MS), clusters andagglomerates, in CC7 comes to 747 as against472 (BC) in CC6. Incidentally, the schedule of(BS) given in Chapter DE of CC7 seems to beincomplete in the sense that it does not list30 (BS) for which (SI) schedules are available inPart E. Out of the 717 (BS) enumerated in theschedule of (BS), CC7 provides (SI) schedulesfor 120 as against 30 out of 47 in CC6. Thetotal number of (BS) for which (SI) scheduleshave been provided in CC7 is, nevertheless, 150out of 747 (BS) as against 63 out of 472 inCC6. It may, however, be noted that CC7 hasalso enumerated 385 Canonical (BS) underTraditional (MS) Engineering which have not

9


been included in the total number of (BS)mentioned above since they have been des-cribed as "provisional".

phase Relation

CC6 had recognised five types of relationshipsthat might occur between two subjects (basicand/or compound), or two isolates belongingto same facet or two isolates belonging tosame array of a facet, viz,, General, Bias, Com-parison, Difference and Influencing. In 1967Ranganathan reviverl the idea of Tool Phase,originally conceived in 1944 but abandoned in1957 [17, p.29-30]. Consequently, CC7 has in-corporated this concept and provided for sixtypes of phase relation instead of five. Toolphase relation is to be used when one subject isapplied for the purpose of solving problems ofanother subject or for the study and develop-ment of the latter, e.g. Application of mathema-tical principles in library classification.

Postulates

Realising the importance of postulational app-roach in pursuing the work in the idea planeconsistently and systematically, Ranganathanframed in 1955 a set of postulates which hethought to be useful in such work. In Prolego-mena 2 he enlisted 21 postulates which werelater refined, modified and reduced to 12 in Pro-legomena 3. The work in the idea plane for CC7was carried on basing the same set of posulates,which among other things assumes the existenceof only five (FC) and their manifestation inrounds and levels and determine the sequence offacets.

Identification of (P)

Ranganathan had earlier suggested the use of the'Method of Residue' for identification of themanifestation of Personality [20, p.401] . But itwas later found helpful to identify the manifes-tation of Personality first [4, P.173] as otherwisethere were chances of wrong identification, Fur-ther, with the recognition of core concept ofany subject as manifestation of Personality, italso became possible to identify the manifesta-

10

tion of Personality in any subject without muchdifficulty. But it is surprising that in Chapter CPof CC7, which introduces the postulates, Perso-nality has been described as 'ineffable" and"that which is not (T), (S), (E) or (M)". Thistantamounts to an indication to follow the sameold unhelpful 'Method of Residue' for identify-ing Personality.

Canons and Principles

For systematic and objective working in thethree planes some guidelines are also requiredbesides the postulates, which is evident from thefact that since the days of Richardson severalscholars in the field of classification haveattempted to frame some sort of guiding rulesfor this purpose. Ranganathan also formulatedsome 28 canons as early as in 1937 in his Prole-gomena 1. Constant research in the field led himto refine and systematise them and formulate afew new canons and principles. Finally, in Prole-gomena 3 he came out with 43 canons for threedifferent planes, 4 Principles of Facet Sequenceand 18 Principles of Helpful Sequence. Another14 Principles of Helpful Sequence were enuncia-ted later [10, p.21l-214] These canons andprinciples have not been formally introduced inCC7, except the Wall-Picture Principle in Chap-ter CP, but have evidently been used in construc-ting various schedules. Only at four places, viz.,in the (SI) schedules for (CdS) going with C Phy-sics, E Chemistry, V History and W Political'Science, a classifier gets an opportunity to knowabout the canons and/or principles, the help ofwhich have been taken for arrangement of Non-Main (BS) and/or .solate ideas.

VERBAL PLANE

The need of using an articulate language freefrom homonyms and synonyms in classificationscheme is obvious. To ensure this Ranganathanenunciated his Canons for Verbal Plane. CC7claims to have taken the following steps to satis-fy these canons (Chapter CH):

1 Attempt has been made to make every termin the schedule one-worded.

2 The terms chosen are generally in the formof nominative case and singular number.

Ann Lib Sci Doc


3 The terms used in the schedules have beentaken from approved glossaries. In the absen-ce of an existing standard terminology inany area, CC has improvised its own stand-ard.

4 No homonym generally occurs in one andthe same schedule.However, same terms sometime appear inthe schedules of different (BS) in differentmeanings. Such homonyms are left to be re-solved by Canon of Context and Canon cfEnumeration.

5

Deviations

Analysis of the schedules, however, reveals somedeviations from what have been claimed. It hasbeen found that many multi-worded terms havebeen used in different schedules possibly due tounavailability of single-worded terms to replacethem, e.g. LT5 Bat, stick using game, TUS:4315Acceleration of gifted children, etc. The isolatenumber 4315 in the latter does not perhaps evenrepresent a single idea. Use of words in posses-sive case and plural number are also foundthough in a limited way, e.g. 8; DC4 Owner'scapital; M7, 33 Adult's clothes; BYC, Icl Earlytype stars. Also, use of the same term more thanonce in different context in one and same sche-dule is found in some cases, e.g. the term 'sex'appears at least eight times in the (SI) scheduleof Matter-Property for (CdS) going with SYSocial Psychology as shown below:

Idea Terms used

Common Action ideas

IsolateNumber

Meaning of the termby context

d5q426H2j

Sex hungerImitation of sexSex disorderSex as motive (withphysiological base)Sexual motivationSexual developmentSex stereotypesSex roles.

H2E7HjHVelR85

A Mix-up

It is queer to find the terms 'Common Matter-Property Isolates' and 'Common Energy Isolates'representing two different sets of isolates each.The two sets of Common Matter-Property Isolat-es appear in Chapter DL and Chapter EC, while~he two sets of Common Energy Isolates appearIn Chapter DK and Chapters EC and EW. Theterms thus become homonyms by themselves.

Fluid Terminology

Ranganathan was an ardent advocate of standardterminology which was clearly reflected in theterminology used in CC6. But one can find astrange fluidity in some terminology used inCC7 as may be seen below:

place of occurrence(Illustrative)

Common Energy Isolates

Common 'Action' Ideas

Isolates Energy (E)

Chapter DK

Chapter E4

Chapter EBYC

Main subjects Main Subjects

Primary Basic Subjects

Chapter DE

Chapter EV

Non-Main Basic SubjectBasic Subject

BC (i.e. Basic Classes)

Secondary Basic Subjects

Chapter DEChapter scChapter ED

Chapter EE

Non-main subjects

Vol 36 Nos 1-2 March & June 1989 11


Variant Abbreviations

There are inconsistencies too in the use of abbreviations for fundamental categories as may be seenfrom the following examples :

----------------------------------------------------------Fundamental category Abbreviations used Place of occurrence

(Illustrative)-----~-------------------------------------------------~--Personality isolates (1P1) Isolates Chapter E2belonging to

Personality (P) Chapter EBYCround-L,ievel-I Isolates

(P) Isolates Chapter EC

Matter-Property (1MP1) Isolates Chapter EBIsolates belonging to

(M~) Isolates Chapter ECRound-L,Level-1 Property Isolates Chapter ESY

Energy Isolates (E) Isolates Chapter ELbelonging to

(1E) Action Isolates Chapter EHRound-I(IE) Isolates Chapter EA----------------------------------------------------------

Variant Subject Names

Even the same (BS) have sometimes been denoted by different terms, a few examples of which arecited below.

Subject name Place of occurrence Subject name Place ofoccurrence

Universe of knowledge Chapter DE Universe of Subjects Chapter El

Library and Information Chapter DE Library Science Chapter E2Science

Management Science Chapter DE Management Chapter E8

Elementary Particle Chapter DE Particle Physics Chapter EC

Chemical Technology Chapter DE Technology Chapter EF

Book Production and Chapter DE Book Production Chapter EMDistribution

Furniture Design Chapter DE Furniture Chapter EM

Textile Weaving Chapter DE Textile Chapter EM

Mysticism and Spiritual Chapter DE Spiritual Experience and Chapter Et.Experience Mysticism

Calligraphic Art Chapter DE Calligraphy Chapter EP

Economics-in-Theory of Chapter DE Industrial Economics Chapter EXBusiness Enterprise

12 Ann Lib Sci Doc


Variant Place Names

Similarly, there are instances where differentterms have been used to represent a geographicalentity in the schedule of (S) Isolates and thecorresponding Community Isolates in (BS) VHistory as may be seen below:

Space Isolates Community Isolates

Khemer Republic(Cambodia)

Sri Lanka (Ceylon)

Federal Republic ofGermany

Cambodia

.Ceylon

West Germany

German DemocraticRepublic

Madagascar

Arab Republic ofEgypt

East Germany

Malagasy

United ArabRepublic (Egypt)

Notational Plane

As in the' case of idea plane, in notational planetoo several new developments took place due tocontinued research by Ranganathan and his asso-ciates in DRTC. These have significantly improv-ed the notational system of CC7 as compared toCC6.

Notational System

The notational system of CC7 uses the following75 digits belonging to six species as against 71belonging to five species in CC6.

1 23 Roman small letters (excluding i, 0 and 1)2 10 Indo-Arabic numerals3 26 Roman Capital letters4 1 Greek letter, viz., t::,.

5 12 Ordinary indicator digits,viz.) &'.: ;,-= -*+(6 3 Anteriorising digits, viz. * +- and"

It may, however, be pointed out that in sec-tion 4 of Chapter CJ, CC7 mentions about onlytwo anteriorising digits and total of 74 digits.

Vol 361'[081-2 March & June 1989

Base of the System

The base of the notational system is thus mixedand consists of 60 substantive digits and conse-quently the capacity of the base is also 60. Thecapacity remains unchanged as compared to thatof CC6, but there are some internal changes. Thedigit '1' which was shown as a substantive digitin CC6 (p.1.6), though not used as such, hasnow been withdrawn as a substantive digit, whilethe digit o (zero ) which was earlier being used asa connecting symbol (indicator digit), is nowused as a substantive digit.

Contradictions

However, serious contradictions can be seen inthe use of some substantive digits. The RomanCapital letters I and 0 have been recommendedto be used only to represent Main Subjects Bot-any and Literature and not in any other array(Chapter CJ). But the digit I has been used inother arrays also, e.g. in (IN) for stars and Elec~'tromagnetic properties in the (SI) schedules for(CdS) going with BYC Astrophysics. On theother hand, the digit 0 (zero) which has beendescribed as an unconditionally empty digit inall contexts (Chapter CK), has been used as asemantically rich digit in the schedules of (SI)for (CdS) going with E Chemistry.

Indicator Digits

CC6 used 11 indicator digits including the digito (zero). CC7 has introduced the following fivenew indicator digits and withdrawn the use of 0(zero) as an indicator digit, as stated above,bringing the total number of indicator digits to15, though erroneously the total has been men-tioned as only 14 in Chapter CJ of CC7:

(asterisk) for agglomerates(double inverted comma) for (ACI)(plus) for connecting the components ofabbreviation of a multinomial

& (ampersand) for phase relation(equal to) 'for speciators of kind 1 or SpecialComponents.

*"+

=

13


Besides, the indicator digit "(" (starter)and")" (arrester) used in CC6 for (SO) and forTechnique (BC), have been brought to new usein CC7. It is now used for following two purpos-es:

1 For (SO), e.g. 2,B(A) National Science Lib-ray

2 For (GO) and (CD) used to denote style inmany (BS), e.g. N6-(44, J) Moghul Painting.

It may also be pointed out here that theformer practice of omitting the indicator digitfor isolates in (lP 1) and (2P1) has now been dis-continued as it "was found to be false econo-my." [15, p.20]

Anteriorising Digits

Ranganathan had earlier invested the Romansmall letters with anteriorising value which res-tricted their use for other purposes. In 1969 herecommended the use of "(double invertedcommas) as an indicator digit with anteriorisingvalue for use with (ACI). This released theRoman small letters "for use in the formationof arrays in the same manner as the Indo-Arabicnumerals and the Roman Capital letters" [15,p.J]. Similarly, he recommended the use of*(asterisks) to interpolate an agglomerate beforeits constituent (BS) and the •.. (backward arrow)for placing a document covering an inclusiveperiod of time. These three indicator digits have,therefore, been treated as Anteriorising Digits inCC7. Surprisingly, however, in Sec. 46 of Chap-ter C] of CC7 only two digits, viz Eo- and" havebeen mentioned as anteriorising digits, while inSec. 61 four digits, viz., * + " and +- have beentermed as digits with anteriorising value. Noneof these statements seem to be correct.

Deviations in Use

As in the case of substantive digits, some discre-pancies are also found in the use of some indica-tor digits. The direction of the single invertedcomma and double inverted commas differ atdifferent places, e.g. Chapter C] shows the useof ' and " (starting direction) while Chapter DQrecommends use of ' and " (closing direction).

14

The indicator digit + (plus) though meant forconnecting the components of abbreviations ofmultinomials, is also used for connecting sub-family numbers (by AD) with their respectivefamily numbers (by AD) in the case of non-Semitic languages (Chapter DG), e.g. 6B+K Kwalanguage belonging to Bantu family, and evenfor connecting two consecutive (IN) in (BS)TUS Educational Psychology, e.g. TUS, 1-111;116 + 117 Imagination and thinking in childlearner.

Ordinal Value

Since CC uses a mixed base and there is no pre-determined order among the various species ofdigits as also among the various indicator digits,it was necessary to postulate the ordinal sequen-ce among the different species as well as amongthe indicator digits. CC7 recommends thefollowing ascending sequence of ordinal valueamong all the digits used, except anteriorisingdigits:)&'.: ;,-= -++ ab yzOl.. 89AB M A N YZ(

It does not prescribe any ordinal value for ante-riorising digits in relation to other digits due totheir having anteriorising value but prescribesthe following order when they are arrangedamong themselves:

*" +-

Change in Order

The order of the digits other than anteiorisingdigits as mentioned above reflects slight changescompared to the order recommended in CC6.The "'" (backward arrow), the ordinal value ofwhich had earlier been postulated next to )(arrester), has now been treated as an anterioris-ing digit, while the ordinal value of ~ (forwardarrow) has been prescribed to be greater thanthat of all the indicator digits for facets and spe-ciators as against smaller than the indicatordigits for facets in CC6.

Violation of Order

The order of digits prescribed in CC7 seems tohave been violated in some places of the (SI)

Ann Lib Sci Doc


schedules. For example, in the schedule of(2MM1) isolates for (CdS) going with B2 Algeb-ra some of the consecutive isolates are numberedas:

16 Graphical17 Existence of solution02 Distribution03 Diophantine equation

Here the digit 0 (zero) follows the digit 1(one) which is against the postulated order ofthe above two digits.

Semantic Quality

CC7 has introduced a new set of terminology toindicate the semantic quality of the digits used(Chapter CK). These are:

1 Semantically rich digit:

A digit which represents one or other substantialidea. All the substantive digits except 0 and 9are semantically rich digits.

2 Semantically poor digit:

An indicator digit which does not indicate anything substantial.

3 Semantically Empty digit:

A digit having ordinal value but semanticallyempty. There are two types of such digits, viz.,Unconditionally Empty Digit, which is semanti-cally empty in all contexts, e.g. 0 and 9; andOccasionally empty digit which is not semanti-cally empty in all contexts, e.g. z and Z.

4 Quasi digit:

A digit group treated as a single digit. A quasidigit may consist of one or two empty digits anda rich digit and together the digit group is treat-ed as a rich digit. A digit group used to denote amultinomial term in (AD) is also treated as aquasi digit.


Zones and Sectors

Though Ranganathan used mixed notation in CCfrom the very beginning, and even unconsciouslyemployed some idea of zones and sectors in itsnotational system, the concept of zone analysiswas consciously developed only after 1953,when Dr. D.B. Krishnarao, a close associate ofRanganathan, evolved the idea of zones. Initial-ly, only three zones were thought of consistingof Roman small letters, Arabic numerals andRoman capital letters. A new zone was conceiv-ed of in 1955 when B.C. Vickery suggested theuse of packet notation thereby raising the totalnumber of zones to four. Prolegomena 2 clearlyenunciated these zones and prescribed theirorder and allocation as below:

Zone 1 Roman small letters to represent enu-merated common isolates

Zone 2 Arabic numerals to represent enume-rated special isolates

Zone 3 Roman capital letters to represent spe-cial isolates got by a device

Zone 4 Packeted numbers to represent com-mon isolates got by a device

Application in CC6

The notational system of CC6 obviously follow-ed the above order and allocation of zones, butthe capacity of all these zones was not fully uti-lised, possibly because there was no need to doso. It may be observed that only one sector eachwas utilised from Zone 1 and Zone 3 and notmore than three sectors from Zone 2 except inthe schedule of space isolates and the scheduleof Energy isolates in (MC) X Economics, wherefive sectors were used. In no array, however,more than two zones were used at a time exceptin the array of (MC) and the second order arrayof z Generalia where all the four zones wereused together.

New Developments

With the introduction of 0 (Zero) as an emptydigit in 1967, another new zone was created. In

15


Prolegomena 3 (p. 240) the zones were renamedand rearranged as follows:

Zone (Z - 0) consisting of numbers in an arraybeginning with a 0 (zero)

Zone (Z - a) consisting of numbers in an arraybeginning with a Roman small let-ter

Zone (Z - 1) consisting of numbers in an arraybeginning with an Arabic numeral

Zone (Z -A) consisting of numbers in an arraybeginning with a Roman capital let-ter

Zone (Z -( )J packeted numbers in an array

Ranganathan also demonstrated the availabilityof 66 sectors in these five zones with a capacityof 1,166 under the condition that only singlets,doublets and triplets would be used as isolatenumbers [20, p.245-247]. The order was slightlychanged later by placiIrg (Z - 0) after (Z - a) atthe suggestion of Neelameghan. [11, p.313]

Application in CC7

Though all the five zones and 66 sectors wereavailable for use, CC7 has used all the zones butonly a few sectors of them. The allocation ofzones is shown in the following table:

Concepts Zones Used

Basic subje cts (Z-O), (Z-l) and(Z-A)

(Z-a)

(Z-A)

(Z-l)

(Z-a) , (Z-l) and(Z-A)

(Z-l)

Common isolates

Environment divisions

Language isolates

Time isolates

Space isolates

Special isolates

Speciators/Specialcomponents

All zones

All zones

--------------------- --- ---- ---16

Changes

A remarkable change may be noticed in the allo-cation of zones is in the array of (BS). The rea-sons claimed for this are that (Sector-a) of (Z-a)which was earlier used to represent some (MC)has been reserved in CC7 for 'Generalia Approa-ch Documents', while there can be no (MS) ex-cept an adjunct (MS), beyond Z Law in thearray of (BS) [14, p.35]. It is, nevertheless,found that (Sector-a) has also been used to re-present concepts other than Generalia ApproachDocuments as in the schedule of CommodityIsolates for (CdS) going with F Technology(Chapter EF).

Qualities of Notational System

Through relentless efforts to remove the rigidit-ies in the notational system, CC has now reacheda stage which no other scheme has ever beenable to reach. The system is unparallel so far ashospitality is concerned, but unfortunately ithas lost almost completely the quality of simpli-city which is very essential for classifying docu-ments in practice and arranging them on shelves.

Increasing Complexity

By opting for a mixed base of notation, CC.fromthe very beginning sowed the seed of comple-xity. But due to restricted use of different spec-ies of digits, viz., Roman small letters only forCommon Subdivisions, Roman Capital lettersand Greek letter .6 (delta) for Main Classes andIndo-Arabic numerals for Generalia Main Classesand Special Subdivisions and use of only threepunctuation marks, viz., . (point) - (hyphen) and: (colon), the level of complexity remained lowin version-l. In the next version, the level wentup with the introduction of some more Greekletters, seven more punctuation marks and othersymbols, viz., , (comma) ,(semicolon) 0 (circularbrackets) and -+ ...".. (forward and backwardarrows). In version-3, though the use of Greekletters except b. has been discontinued, thelevel of complexity has increased enormouslydue to following reasons:

1 Use of as many as 15 punctuation marks andother symbols

Ann Lib Sci Doc


2 Use of all the zones, except (Z-O ) for denot-ing (SI), Speciators and Special Components.

The extent of complexity, as may be seen fromthe following examples, is such that it is likelyto create aversion among the readers towards CCclass numbers and problems for the personnelwho arrange books on shelves.

Telecasting of Hindi serials for rural viewersof eastern Uttar Pradesh (India) in the after-noon.4, 42-e152;G13;47-rllB. 4451=9B'915

Political implication of USSR-USA treaty onarms control, 1988.V, 57T; 1873=Z5=M2'N88:aTC(W)

Extent of Brevity

Besides using a long base of notation whichtends to shorten the length of the (CN), CC7 hasmade attempts to bring economy in the use ofdigits by telescoping of arrays and facets. Tele-scoping of facets has been apparently carried outin the schedule of (T) isolates. In spite of theseachievements in the notational plane, the ulti-mate class 'numbers are not always brief as is evi-dent from the above examples. An importantreason for this may be that CC always tries toprovide coextensive (CN) and it is a proven factthat coextensiveness and brevity cannot beachieved at a time. Another reason may be fail-ure of the scheme in providing brief (IN) insome cases in spite of applying telescopingmethod as may be seen from the followingexamples quoted from the (IPl) schedule for(CdS) going with BYC Astrophysics.JmLM321 Ring Nebula; c72515 Diffuse absorp-tion bands

Hospitality in Array

It is always a problem to interpolate and extra-polate new classes in an array without disturb-ing the existing sequence. Ranganathan also feltthis problem specially in interpolating agglome-rates and adjunct main classes in the array ofmain classes. The problem was at first temporari-ly solved by introducing Greek letters. Ranga-

nathan also introduced the digit 9 as a semanti-cally empty digit (octave device) for accommo-dating more than eight isolates in other arrays.The idea of octave device was extended in Prole-gomena 2 (p.l08) by allowing the use of the lastdigit of any species of digits as a semanticallyempty digit. CC6 discontinued the use of Greekletters in the array of main classes except(sigma) and (delta) emptying value and em-ptying digit X for new subjects.

Permanent Solution

Ranganathan permanently solved the problem ofinterpolation in array by postulating in 1967 thedigits T, V, X as emptying digits, i.e. digits withordinal value and having power to deprive thesemantic value, of the digits with which they areattached, and U, W, Y as empty-emptying digits,i.e. digits with ordinal value, but no semanticvalue and also having power to deprive the se-mantic value of the digits to which they areattached. In 1969 he further postulated' , (in-verted V) as another empty-emptying digit andsuggested use of O(zero) as an empty digit, be-sides the digits z, 9 and Z [16,p.1-37]. Thesedevelopments immensely improved the potentia-lity of CC notation and increased the scope ofinterpolation and extrapolation. Nevertheless,CC7 has not made use of the digit' '(invertedV) for the purpose of interpolation. The .digitwith greater ordinal value than that of starter"(", if and when used, will increase the totalnumber of digits used in CC to 76 from theexisting 75.

Limited Use in CC7Most of the special isolate schedules have beenextensively revised and updated in CC7 whichhave resulted in longer arrays as compared toCC6. But use of more than one zone or one sec-tor of the same zone (by applying empty digit),wherever needed, has solved the problem ofassigning coordinate numbers to all the isolatesof such arrays and hence there was hardly anyneed to employ emptying and empty-emptyingdigits for this purpose. Even the use of emptydigits was limited. An empty digit has not possi-bly been repeated more than once at a time toextend an array. The emptying and empty-

Vol 36 Nos 1.2 March& June 1989 17


emptying digits have been mainly used in thearray of (BS) and array of space isolates so thatthe orders of existing (BS) and space isolates inCC6 are not disturbed. A few examples of suchuse of emptying and empty-emptying digits areshown below.

(from schedule of (BS) (from schedule of(S) isolates)

G Biology

GT Cytology

4477 Assam

4477T ArunachalPradesh

4477Ul Manipur

4477U2 Mizoram

4477V Tripura

4477Wl Meghalaya

4478 Nagaland

GTX Histology

GV Microbiology

GWA Molecular Biology

GX Biochemistry

GYT Biometry

H Geology------------ ------- -------Incidentally, the (CN) of (BS) Social Psycho-logy, viz., SY which has been interpolated bet-ween S Psychology and T Education, seems tobe wrong as' the digit Y is an Empty-Emptyingdigit and therefore the digit pair SY cannot re-present any idea.

Hospitality in Chain

Use of decimal fraction notation is considered tobe the only satisfactory device of achieving in-finite hospitality in chain. Melvil Dewey first de-monstrated its utility in his Decimal Classifica-tion. Ranganathan not only adopted this con-cept but also extended the idea of decimal frac-tion to his mixed notation [20, p.236] . CC7 has,naturally, made use of this extended decimalfraction concept. However, it may be remember-ed that decimal fraction notation can only extra-polate new links at the bottom end of a chain.Extrapolation of a new link in the beginning of achain remained a problem which seemed to beinsurmountable. But CC7 has made a break-through in this regard by using the digit Z as apartial comprehension digit along with the ante-riorising digit *(asterisk). For example, in thefollowing chain of Space Isolates

18

44444144114412

AsiaIndiaSouthern StatesTamil NaduKerala

a new link can be created as 4411 *Z Tamil Naduand Kerala which will be placed between 441Southern States and 4411 Tamil Nadu.

Mnemonic Quality

In the context of classification, use of mnemo-nics or mnemonic quality refers to use of samedigits or digit groups to represent same conceptswherever they may occur. This brings consisten-cy and economy in the schedules and assists thememory of the classifiers. The three main typesof mnemonics described by Ranganathan areScheduled Mnemonics, Systematic Mnemonicsand Seminal Mnemonics.

Scheduled Mnemonics

When a digit or digit group represents the sameisolate idea in every schedule where it occurs, itis called scheduled mnemonics. The various de-vices used in CC and the common isolates auto-matically achieve scheduled mnemonics. But CCuses such mnemonics in abundance in the sche-dules of special isolates too. The use of schedul-ed mnemonics results in parallel schedules of iso-lates [12, p.5-7] , which has gone up to 127 casesin CC7 excluding the cases in which commonisolates have been used as special isolates or spe-cial isolates used as speciators.

Systematic Mnemonics

Systematic mnemonics are achieved when thedigits used to represent the array isolate ideas inan array run parallel to the sequence achieved byapplying any Principle of Helpful Sequence. CC7has achieved systematic mnemonics to a greatextent since the arrangement of isolates done inthe idea plane has been reflected by the notationused in the notational p1ane. In some of the (SI)schedules such as the (SI) schedules for (CdS)going with C physics, E Chemistry, V Historyand W Political Science, the various principles

Ann Lib Sci Doc


adopted in arrangement of isolates have beenshown. As such the use of systematic mnemo-nics can be clearly observed in these schedules.

Seminal Mnemonics

When the same digits or digit groups are used torepresent seminally equivalent ideas, they maybe called seminal mnemonics. Ranganathan enu-merated the seminally equivalent ideas and therespective digits used for them in CC6 (p.1.32),but in CC7 no such list has been provided.Nevertheless, it continues to use seminal mne-monics as before, e.g. the digit 1 represents thefollowing seminally near ideas in different sche-dules:

World in Space schedule and (SI) schedule ofHistory

Elementary in (SI) schedule of AlgebraLine in (SI) schedule of GeometrySolid in (SI) of MechanicsEarth in (SI) of AstronomyUnit in (Sp) to (P) schedule of PhysicsPrimary age in (SI) schedule of GeologySoil in (SI) schedule of AgricultureLand in (SI) schedule of EconomicsInternational in (SI) schedule of Law.

Pseudo-Mnemonics

CC7 has used another type of mnemonics in theschedule of common (MP) isolates which havebeen termed as pseudo-mnemonics. They arecalled "pseudo-mnemonics" in the sense thatthey are modified versions of the numbers forcorresponding (CdS). "The modification consistsof changing the (BS) digit from Capital to Smalland the omission of some of the isolate numbersand Indicator Digits" f14, p.l04) .For example:

Subject Class No. (MP) No.

Volume b63B6,3

C2,5;4

S;7 s7

Surface tension c24

Personality

Vol 36 Nos 1·2 March & June 1989

Integrity of Numbers

While a new edition of a classification scheme isalways expected to keep pace with the growthof subjects, it is also desirable that the numberalready in use in the previous edition to denotecertain definite ideas are allowed to continue todenote the same ideas as far as possible so thatminimum reclassification is necessary when thenew edition is adopted [2, p.138).

Basic SubjectsContinuous growth and reorganisation in theuniverse of subjects have resulted in the forma-tion of a large number of new basic subjects.CC7 has tried to accommodate them withoutdisturbing the existing sequence of (Me) in CC6,as far as possible, by using Emptying digits andEmpty-Emptying digits. It is found that manyisolates, compound subjects and complex sub-jects have been transformed into (BS) in CC7.This has obviously resulted in change of classnumbers as may be seen in the examples below:

Subject Cl. No.in CC6

Cl. No.in CC7

Astronomy

Engineering statistics

Biochemistry

Public health

B9

B280bD

BX

DYT

GXLU5

E9G

L:5

Changes in class numbers as above were perhapsinevitable, due to changes in the idea plane. Butone can find changes in class numbers even incases where there is no change in the idea planeas may be seen in the following examples.

Subject CLNo.in CC6

CLNo.in CC7

Generalia z 01

8

D58

M16

Management

pollution Engineering

Printing

(X)D854

M14

19

CHATTERJEE & CHOUDHURY

(S) and (T) Isolates

As indicated earlier, only one level each of (S)and (T) has been recognised in CC7. Conse-quently, the (S2) isolates of CC6 have beentreated as special components in CC7, while thearray of (T2) has been telescoped into (T1).Such reorganisation has again brought somechanges in class numbers of many existing isolat-es. For example:

Isolate idea Cl. No.in CC6

ci. No.in CC7

In (S) schedule

River pI

191

1-52

16

zf7

Equatorial zone

Roman Empire

Atlantic countries

2

A52

96

In (T.) schedule

Dry

Night

pI

d

r

92

961Spring nl

Special Isolates

Except in very limited cases CC6 generally em-ployed only (S-1) of (Z-1) to denote special iso-lates. But CC7 has introduced several sectors be-longing to different zones in order to accommo-

Subject/isolates Cl. No.

date longer arrays due to addition of new isolat-es. This again has resulted in change in classnumbers for some isolates of CC6 which havebeen retained in CC7. Sometimes there is evenlarge-scale reallocation of numbers. Some of theschedules where there has been large-scale reallo-cation are those of

2 Library ScienceF TechnologyT EducationW Political ScienceBesides, minor reallocation of numbers can alsobe found in many other schedules. For example:----------------------------Idea/isolate Cl. No. Cl. No.

in CC6 in CC7

Time in Physics

Nuclear Engineering

Motor truck

C166

D7

D5132

V12

Cl,111

D68

D93B

V13Governor

Synonyms in Notation

The Canon of Synonym enunciated by Ranga-nathan "implies that each subject should berepresented by one and only one class number.No subject should be represented by two ormore class numbers. Similarly each isolates ideashould be represented by one and only oneisolate number" [20, p.260]. But CC7 appearsto have violated this canon, much to the dis-comfiture of the classifiers. Some sample casesof such violation are shown below:

Location Cl. No. Location

Ocean Science AXG Chapter DE AP Chapter DF

Atmospheric Science AX] Chapter DE AR Chapter DF

Space Science AXK Chapter DE AS Chapter DF

Defence Science AXM Chapter DE AV Chapter DF

Generalia 01 Chapter DE z Chapter Ez

Indology* OU44 Chapter DE z44 Chapter Ez

Gandhiana* OWG Chapter DE zG Chapter Ez

20 Ann Lib Sci Doc


-----------~.----------------------------------------------Subject/isolates Cl. No. Location Cl. No. Location------~-.-------------------------------------------------

Universe ofKnowledge/Subjects OY Chapter DE 1 Chapter E1

Library Service 2X Chapter DE 2V Chapter E2

High-pressure Physics C9-H4 Chapter DE C9H3 Chapter EC

Biochemistry GX Chapter DE GWE Chapter EG

Meteorology HV81 Chapter DE HV7 Chapter EH

Female Medicine L-9H Chapter DE L9F Chapter EL

Book Illustration M13T Chapter DE M131 Chapter EM

Composition M1S Chapter DE M14 Chapter EM

Typewriting MXN Chapter DE PW6 Chapter EP

Shorthand MXP Chapter DE PW7 Chapter EP

Mysticism & SpiritualExperience MZ Chapter DE Il Chapter Ell

Astrology MZX Chapter DE IlX Chapter Ell

Caligraphy/Calligraphic Art N3 Chapter DE ND Chapter EN

Plastic Art NC Chapter DE NE Chapter EN

Inlay ~rt NJ Chapter DE NM Chapter EN

Physical Geography U2 Chapter DE Us Chapter EU

Bangladesh (S) 4391 Chapter DJ 44TX Chapter EV

Pakistan (S) 44vx Chapter DJ 44X Chapter EV

New zealand (S) 8T Chapter DJ 8X Chapter EV

Criticism (CEI) aTC Chapter DK g Chapter EO---------------------------------------------------------* (CN) for these subjects have been constructed on the basis of rules given in Chapter Ez.

Homonym in Notation

The Canon of Homonym, on the other hand,implies that "each class number should repre-sent one and only one subject. No class numbershould represent two or more subjects. Simi-

lady each isolate number should represent oneand only one isolate idea" [20, p.266]. CC7apparently violates this canon too by providingsame (CN) (IN) to more than one subjectisolate, some examples of which may be seenbelow:

Vol 36 Nos 1·2 March & June 1989 21


(CN)!(IN)

Subject/isolaterepresented

Location Subject/isolaterepresented

Location

---------~-----------------------------------------------1 Communication Chapter DE Universe of Chapter E1

Science Subjects

3V Reading Method Chapter DE Book Science Chapter E3in Action

HV Geophysics Chapter DE Hydrology, Oceanology Chapter EH

L9-H Female Medicine Chapter DE Tropical Medicine Chapter EL

L9-F Geriatrics Chapter DE Female Medicine Chapter EL

M14 Block making Chapter DE Composition Chapter EM

M4 Materials Production Chapter DE Smithy Chapter EMTrade

MK Hosiery Chapter DE Leather Work Chapter EM

ND Sculpture Chapte~ DE Furniture, Town Chapter ENPlanning

NF Artistic Glass Chapter DE Sculpture Chapter EN

41V1 Korea (S) Chapter DJ Mongolia Chapter EV

DEVELOPMENT AND EXPANSIONS

CC7 has claimed to have developed and ex-panded the details of the schedules whenevernecessary and found essential- (14, preface}.But the extent of such developments and ex-pansions has not been indicated. Nevertheless,an idea about the same may be obtained througha close look at the schedules.

Developments

The extent of development or revision in everyschedule cannot be the same as the develop-ment in every subject field is not of the sameorder. It may also be due to the fact that equalattention could not possibly be given to everysubject field at the time of revision. The follow-ing table will provide a brief picture of therevision carried out in eC7.

Marginal revision Moderate revision Thorough revision

Generalia

Biology .

Mining

Botany

Agriculture

Zoology

Animal Husbandry

Medicine

Mathematics

Physics

Chemistry

Geology

Useful Arts

Fine Arts

Education

History

22

Library Science

Technology

Political Science

Economics

Ann Lib Sci Doc


Marginal revision Moderate revision

Mysticism & Spiritualism

Literature

Sociology

Law

Linguistics

Religion

Philosophy

Psychology

Geography

However, many of the marginally revised ormoderately revised schedules have been con-siderably updated by addition of new isolates.

Additions

As indicated above, besides the revision ofexisting schedules, there have been large-scaleadditions in many schedules, and addition ofmany new schedules. It is interesting to notethat CC7 provides special isolates schedules foras many as 150 (BS) as against 59 schedules of(Be) and' canonical classes in CC6. The specialisolate schedules where large-scale additionshave been taken place are as follows:

2 Library scienceC PhysicsE ChemistryF TechnologyT EducationW Political Science

New Schedules

CC7 has provided special isolate schedules for74 new basic subjects. Out of these the (SI)schedules of the following (BS) are well de-veloped and exhaustive.

48BYCCVSYTUS

Mass communicationManagementAstrophysicsSpace PhysicsSocial Psych olog-:Educational Psychology


Thorough revision

Limitations

In spite of revisions and additions, some of the(SI) schedules have serious limitations and arenot in a position to cope with the present de-velopment in the respective subject fields. A fewsuch cases are shown in the succeeding sections.

Library & Information Science

Indexing and abstracting are important techni-gues of library and information science so alsocurrent awareness service, selective dissemina-tion of information, information management,etc. These also have tremendous literary war-rant. But such important areas have been totallyneglected in CC7. Besides, unlike Library Sci-ence schedule of CC6, the present scheduledoes not have any schedule of Matter-Materialisolates; instead, it has included such materialsin schedule of (lPl) isolates with instructionfor using such isolates as divisions going withsome specific (lMPl) isolates like Classificationand Cataloguing. This creates problems inclassifying documents which deal with activities,other that classification and cataloguing. Forexample, a book on classification or cataloguingof periodicals can be easily classified, but a bookon selection or exchange of periodicals cannotbe done so.

Engineering

The limitation in the schedule of D Engineer-ing is still more acute. The schedule containsonly a provisional list of non-main basic sub-


jects and no special isolates. This makes itdifficult to classify even documents coveringmacro subjects. Its limitations can be gaugedby the fact that it is even unable to providecoextensive class numbers to books whichcould be easily classified by CC6.

ScatteringA classification scheme should always aim atbringing related subjects together since 'scat-tered relatives' cause frustration to the users.From the very beginning CC has given properattention to this need. But unfortunately somecase's of scattering are visible in CC7, a few ofwhich are of course the legacy of its prede-cessor. Two such typical cases of scattering areshown below.

Chemistry

CC6 used Periodic Table as the base for arrang-ing chemical elements [13, p. 1.74] . But for un-known reason some 01 the elements of GroupIII were distributed in other groups, e.g.

Dyspriosium and Holmium in Group IErbium and Thulium in Group IICerium, Praseodymium and Thorium in

Group IVNeodymium and Protactinium in Group V

CC7 has made no efforts to set the things rightand thus many elements of the same groupremain scattered.

Engineering

Bu t in the schedule of D Engineering, somesubjects which had been rightly placed alongwith their related subjects in CC6, have nowbeen scattered in CC7, e.g.

Subject Cl. No. ci, No.

Nuclear Engineering

Nuclear Reactor

D7 D68

D7,13 D9R3

D66 D66

D66.121 D9 M13

Electrical Engineering

Generator

24

Omissions

It is interesting to note that CC7 has not onlyprovided new (SI) schedules, but has alsoommitted some of the existing (SI) schedulesof CC6, the reason for which is difficult to'surmise. The schedules which have been drop-ped in the new edition are those of

a Generalia BibliographyLX PharmacognosyR6 Indian Philosophy.

SPECIFICITY OF (CN)

As expected the new developments in CC7 havemade it possible to achieve more specificity inclass numbers in many basic subjects. but at thesame time surprisingly in a few cases it is diffi-cult to achieve even the specificity availablein CC6. The following two simple exampleswill bring out these reverse tendencies.

1. Physical properties of the particles in theatmosphere

Class No. according to CC6

C 85

where

C = PhysicsC8 = Cosmic hypothesisC8S = Space


CV, 1,4; c1

where

C = PhysicsCV = Space PhysicsCV, 1 = AtmosphereCV,1,4 = Particle in atmosphereCV,1,4; c1 = Physical properties of particles in

atmosphere

Ann Lib Sci Doc


2. Design for foundation of a steel bridge

Clas No. according to CC6

04168,2:4

where

D = Engineering04 = Transport Engineering041 = Land Transport0416 = Bridge04168 = SteeLBridge04168,2 = Foundation of Steel BridgeD4168,2:4 = Design for Foundation of Steel

Bridge


D46

where

D = Engineering04 = Track Engineering046 = Bridge

PHYSICAL CHANGES

There are many changes, ommissions and in-consistencies in CC7 in so far as the physicalfeatures, style, layout and presentation areconcerned, the most significant of which arebriefly mentioned below.

1. It is planned to be brought out in threeseparate volumes instead of one (See Section0).

2. It is printed neatly in bigger size type faceon thick quality paper of double the size ofCC6 making it more suitable for frequenthandling.

3. The rules going with a (BS) or (CdS) havebeen provided along with the respectiveschedules of special isolates and not sepa-rately as in CC6. This is more helpful forthe classifiers.

Vol 36 Nos 1.2 March & June 1989

4. It, however, lacks the beginning and endingsection numbers on top corners of eachverso and each recto respectively as foundin CC6. This hampers efficient use of theschedule.

5. Though abbreviations have .been used inabundance, no list of abbreviations hasbeen provided making it difficult for theclassifiers to use it.

6. There are innumerable ommissrons, repeti-tions and other printing mistakes through-out the schedules as against very few inCC6. But there is no errata showing thesemistakes.

7. There is no consistency in the presen-tation of introduction and rules goingwith the 'schedules of special isolates. Insome cases the introduction and rules precdethe schedules, as in BYC Astrophysics orC Physics, in some they succeed the sched-ules, as in K Zoology or A Mysticism. Insome again schedules are sandwitchedbetween introduction and rules as in EChemistry, while in some other there isneither any introduction nor any rules asin case of 2 Library Science and as a resultit becomes difficult for a classifier to con-struct class numbers.

8. The notes and directions at several placesare either incomplete or, misleading. Forexample, in the schedule of (IMPl) isolatesfor (CdS) going with L Medicine, the noteaccompanying the isolate 556 Season says'Divide by season' without any explanationas to from where the divisions are to betaken. Similarly, another note in the sche-dule of (IPl) isolates for (CdS) going withBYC Astrophysics directs the classifier tosee Appendix for abbreviations thoughthere is no existence of the Appendix.

CONCLUSION

CC7 is undoubtedly an enormously improvedversion both form the point of view of itstheoretical base as well as notational capabi-

25


lity, It is certainly in a better position to copewith the ever expanding universe of subjects.But the omrnissions, repetitions, and errorsthat have crept into it, how inadvertantlythey may be, will create problems for the classi-fiers. The most striking deficiency, which isunbecoming of a classification scheme, is thelack of uniformity and coherence. While someof the schedules are well-developed and com-plete by themselves with full description of themechanism employed in the making of theschedules and necessary rules for constructionof class numbers, some are too scanty and evenwithout any rules. These give an impression ofthe scheme as a collection of some indepen-dently developed schedules rather than an inte-grated classification scheme of the whole uni-verse of subjects. The scheme, as it is, cannot-beefficiently used for practical classificationwork unless the index and a supplementaryvolume incoporating all the corrections andnecessary additions are brought out withoutfurther delay. To make the scheme morebalanced, immediate effort should be made todevelop the (SI) schedules of those (BS) whichare not sufficiently developed in the presentvolume. It is' needless to stress that a conti-nuous process of revision is a must for the sur-vival for any classification scheme and as suchthe proposed Colon Classification Bulletinshould be started immediately as a medium forcommunicating the proposed revisions to theusers of CC regularly.

REFERENCES

1. Bliss H E: Organisation of knowledge in librariesand subject approach to books. 2nd ed. NewYork : H~W.Wilson 1939.

2. Chatterjee Amitabha and Choudhury, GobindaGopal: UDC: International medium edition .English text. A critical appraisal. Int Classif1986, 13(3).

3. Dhyani P: Colon classification, edition 7 - Anappraisal. Int Classif 1988, 15(1).

26

4. Gopinath M A: Analytico-synthetic classification:Its theory and practice. IN: Mohanrajan, P.A.(ed.): New trends in international librarianship.New Delhi: Allied 1984.

5. Gopinath M A: Classification research in India,1968-1973: Trend report (FIDJCR report series14).

6. Gopinath M A: Construction of depth version ofColon Classification - a manual. New Delhi:Wiley Eastern 1986.

7. Gopinath M A and Seetharama S: Interdis-ciplinary subjects and their classification. ThirdInternational Study Conference on ClassificationResearch (Bombay) (1975): Papers.

8. Neelameghan A: Agglomerate basic subject. In:Library Science with a slant to documentation1973,10(2).

9. Neelameghan A: Basic subject. Library Sciencewith a slant to documentation 1973,10(2).

10. Neelameghan A: Basic subjects and their arrange-ment. Library Science with a slant to documenta-tion 1973, 10(2).

11. Neelameghan A: Use of zero in the notationalsystem of CC. DRTC Annual Seminar (6). Banga-lore: DRTC 1968.

12. Rahman A and Ranganathan T: Seminal mnemo-nics. Annals of Library Science 1962,9(1).

13. Ranganathan S R: Colon classification. 6th ed.(Reprint with amendments). Bombay: Asia1963.

14. Colon classification. 7th ed. Bangalore: SaradaRanganathan Endowment 1987.

15. Colon classification. Ed. 7 (1971): A preview.Bangalore: Sarada Ranganathan Endowment 1969.

16. Ranganathan S R: Development in the use ofdigits in Colon Classification. Library Sciencewith a slant to documentation 1969,6(1).

17. Ranganathan S R: Kinds of bonds between twosubjects including fusion bonds. DRTC AnnualSeminar (5). Bangalore: DRTC 1967.

Ann Lib Sci Doc


18. Ranganathan S R: Prolegomena to library classi-fication. Madras: Madras Library Association1937.

19. Ranganatban S R: Prolegomena to library classi-fication. 2nd ed. London: The Library Associa-tion 1957.


20. Ranganathan S R: Prolegomena to library classi-fication. 3rd ed. Bombay: Asia 1967.

21. Sethi A R: CC7: Some preliminary observations.I L A Bulletin 1988,23(1).

27