Colon classification

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Colon classification (CC) is a system of library classification developed by S. R. Ranganathan. It was the first ever faceted (or analytico-synthetic) classification. It is especially used in libraries in India.

Its name "Colon classification" comes from the use of colons to separate facets in class numbers. However, many other classification schemes, some of which are completely unrelated, also use colons and other punctuation in various functions. They should not be confused with Colon classification.

As an example, the subject "research in the cure of tuberculosis of lungs by x-ray conducted in India in 1950" results in a call number

L,45;421:6;253:f.44'N5

The components of this call number represent

Medicine,Lungs;Tuberculosis:Treatment;X-ray:Research.India'1950

1 Organization
- 1.1 Facets
- 1.2 Classes
2 Example
3 References
4 See also
5 External links

[edit] Organization

The Colon Classification uses 42 main classes that are combined with other letters, numbers and marks in a manner reminiscent of the Library of Congress Classification to sort a publication.

[edit] Facets

CC uses five primary categories, or facets to further specify the sorting of a publication collectively called 'PMEST'.

, [[personality]]

; [[matter]] or property

: [[energy]]

. [[space]]

' [[time]]

[edit] Classes

The following are the main classes of CC, with some subclasses, the main method used to sort the subclass using the PMEST scheme and examples showing application of PMEST.

A Generalia

1 Universe of Knowledge

2 Library Science

3 Book Science

4 Journalism

B Mathematics

B1 Arithmetic

B13 Theory of Numbers

B2 Algebra

B23 Algebraic Equations

B25 Higher Algebra

B3 Analysis

B33 Differential Equations [equation] , [degree] , [order] : [problem]

B331,1,2:1 Numerical solutions (:1) of ordered (331) linear (,1) second order (,2) differential equations

B37 Real Variables

B38 Complex Variables

B4 Other Methods

B6 Geometry

B7 Mechanics

B8 Physico-Mathematics

B9 Astronomical Mathematics

C Physics

C1 Fundamentals of Physics

C2 Properties of Matter

C3 Sound

C4 Heat

C5 Light and Radiation

C6 Electricity

C7 Magnetism

C8 Cosmic Hypothesis

D Engineering

E Chemistry

facets

:1 General Chemistry

:2 Physical Chemistry

:3 Analytical Chemistry

:33 Qualitative Chemistry

:34 Quantitative Chemistry

:35 Volumetric Chemistry

:4 Synthetic Chemistry

:5 Extraction Chemistry

E1 Inorganic Chemistry

E10 Group 0

E11 Group 1

E110 Hydrogen

E1109 Lithium

E111 Sodium

E2 Hydroxl (Base)

E3 Acid

E4 Salt

E5 Organic Substance

F Technology

G Biology

H Geology

H1 Mineralogy

H2 Petrology

H3 Structural Geology

H4 Dynamic Geology

H5 Stratigraphy

H6 Paleontology

H7 Economic Geology

H8 Cosmic Hypothesis

HX Mining

I Botany

J Agriculture

facets

:1 Soil

:3 Propagation

:4 Disease

:5 Development

:6 Breeding

:7 Harvest

:91 Nomenclature

:92 Morphology

:93 Physiology

:95 Ecology

material facets

,2 Bulb

,3 Root

,4 Stem

,5 Leaf

,6 Flower

,7 Fruit

,8 Seed

,97 Whole Plant

J1 Horticulture

J2 Feed

J3 Food

J4 Stimulant

J5 Oil

J6 Drug

J7 Fabric

J8 Dye

K Zoology (same facet schedule as I Botany)

KZ Animal Husbandry (same facet schedule as I Botany)

L Medicine [organ]:[problem],[cause]:[handling]

LZ3 Pharmacology [substance].[action],[organ]

LZ5 Pharmacopoeia

M Useful arts

M7 Textiles [material]:[work]

Ð Spiritual experience and mysticism [religion],[entity]:[problem]

N Fine arts

NA Architecture [style] , [utility] , [part] : [technique]

ND Sculpture [style] , [figure] ; [material] : [technique]

NN Engraving

NQ Painting [style] , [figure] ; [material] : [technique]

NR Music [style] , [music] ; [instrument] : [technique]

V History

Z Law

[edit] Example

The most commonly cited example of the Colon Classification is the classification for:

"Research in the cure of the tuberculosis of lungs by x-ray conducted in India in 1950s":

Main classification is Medicine
- (Medicine)
Within Medicine, the Lungs are the main concern
- (Medicine,Lungs)
The property of the Lungs is that they are afflicted with Tuberculosis
- (Medicine,Lungs;Tuberculosis)
The Tuberculosis is being performed (:) on, that is the intent is to cure (Treatment)
- (Medicine,Lungs;Tuberculosis:Treatment)
The matter that we are treating the Tuberculosis with are X-Rays
- (Medicine,Lungs;Tuberculosis:Treatment;X-ray)
And this discussion of treatment is regarding the Research phase
- (Medicine,Lungs;Tuberculosis:Treatment;X-ray:Research)
This Research is performed within a geographical space (.) namely India
- (Medicine,Lungs;Tuberculosis:Treatment;X-ray:Research.India)
During the time (') of 1950
- (Medicine,Lungs;Tuberculosis:Treatment;X-ray:Research.India'1950)
And translating into the codes listed for each subject and facet the classification becomes
- L,45;421:6;253:f.44'N5