Colon classification: Difference between revisions

{{Short description|System of library classification developed by Shiyali R. Ranganathan}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2021|cs1-dates=y}}

'''Colon classification''' ('''CC''') is a [[library classification]] system developed by [[Shiyali Ramamrita Ranganathan]]. It was an early [[Faceted classification|faceted]] (or analytico-synthetic) [[Taxonomic classification|classification]] system. The first edition of colon classification was published in 1933,<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Raghavan|first=K. S|date=December 2015|title=The colon classification: a few considerations on its future|url=http://op.niscair.res.in/index.php/ALIS/article/view/11404/612|journal=Annals of Library and Information Studies|volume=62|pages=231–238}}</ref> followed by six more editions. It is especially used in [[library|libraries]] in [[India]].

 

In CC, facets describe "personality" (the most specific subject), matter, energy, space, and time (PMEST). These facets are generally associated with every item in a library, and thus form a reasonably universal sorting system.<ref>GOPINATH (M A). Colon classification: Its theory and practice. Library Herald. 26, 1–2; 1987; 1–3.</ref>

{{in5}}{{notatypo|Medicine,Lungs;Tuberculosis:Treatment;X-ray:Research.India'1950}}

{{in5}}{{notatypo|L,45;421:6;253:f.44'N5}}

The colon classification system uses 42 main classes that are combined with other letters, numbers, and marks in a manner resembling the [[Library of Congress Classification]].

| style="text-align: center;" | '''<nowiki>,</nowiki>''' || Personality, the most specific or focal subject

| style="text-align: center;" |'''<nowiki>;</nowiki>''' || Matter or property, the substance, properties or materials of the subject.

| style="text-align: center;" |'''<nowiki>:</nowiki>''' || Energy, including the processes, operations and activities.

| style="text-align: center;" |'''<nowiki>.</nowiki>''' || Space, which relates to the geographic location of the subject.

| style="text-align: center;" |'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>''' || Time, which refers to the dates or seasons of the subject.

Other symbols can be used to indicate components of facets called isolates, and to specify complex combinations or relationships between disciplines.

:z [[wiktionary:generalia|Generalia]]

::M7 [[Textile]]s ''[material]:[work]''

::ND [[Sculpture]]

::NN [[Engraving]]

::NQ [[Painting]]

::NR [[Music]]

:O [[Literature]]

:P [[Linguistics]]

* The main classification is Medicine;

**(Medicine)

* Within Medicine, the Lungs are the main concern;

** ({{notatypo|Medicine,Lungs}})

* The property of the Lungs is that they are afflicted with Tuberculosis;

** ({{notatypo|Medicine,Lungs;Tuberculosis}})

* The Tuberculosis is being performed (:) on, that is the intent is to cure (Treatment);

** ({{notatypo|Medicine,Lungs;Tuberculosis:Treatment}})

* The matter that we are treating the Tuberculosis with are X-Rays;

** ({{notatypo|Medicine,Lungs;Tuberculosis:Treatment;X-ray}})

* And this discussion of treatment is regarding the Research phase;

** ({{notatypo|Medicine,Lungs;Tuberculosis:Treatment;X-ray:Research}})

* This Research is performed within a geographical space (.) namely India;

** ({{notatypo|Medicine,Lungs;Tuberculosis:Treatment;X-ray:Research.India}})

* During the time (') of 1950;

** ({{notatypo|Medicine,Lungs;Tuberculosis:Treatment;X-ray:Research.India'1950}})

* And finally, translating into the codes listed for each subject and facet the classification becomes

** {{notatypo|L,45;421:6;253:f.44'N5}}

* [[Bliss bibliographic classification]]

* [[Faceted classification]]

* [[Subject (documents)]]

* [[Universal Decimal Classification]]

 

* [http://www.essessreference.com/servlet/esGetBiblio?bno=000374 ''Colon Classification'' (6th Edition)] by [[Shiyali Ramamrita Ranganathan]], published by Ess Ess Publications, Delhi, India

* Chan, Lois Mai. ''Cataloging and Classification: An Introduction''. 2nd ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, c. 1994. {{ISBN|0-07-010506-5}}.

* [http://www.isko.org/cyclo/colon_classification#2 A brief history of the editions of Colon Classification]