Page 79 - DLIS002_KNOWLEDGE ORGANIZATION CLASSIFICATION AND CATALOGUING THEORY

Knowledge Organization: Classification and Cataloguing Theory

Notes every digit in a decimal fraction has its fixed absolute value irrespective of the total number of
digits in a decimal sum. This property is the reverse of what it is in the whole numbers.

Superfluity of the Right End Zero

By virtue of this property, if any zero is added to the right end of a decimal fraction, its value
remains the same. For example, 9.5, 9.50, 9.500 have exactly the same value.
On this account, one has to be a bit more careful in arranging decimal fractions according to their
value. For example, of the two decimal fractions 23 and 1125, the former is of more value than
the later. The simple formula is that of the two or more decimal fractions the one with a higher
initial digit will be of higher value than the rest, irrespective of the total number of digits in any
decimal fraction. For example, decimal 3 are of far more higher value than decimal 1559.
Ordinal Value of Digits

As in other classification systems, the number/symbols used here to denote subjects have only
ordinal value. They do not possess any cardinal value. Here the numerals are devoid of any
measure of their weight or power or quantity. They only indicate their sequential value, that is,
which number is to come earlier and which later. In DDC, of the two subjects denoted by
numbers, say 953 and 954, it never means that the later is of any more value or importance than
the former or vice-versa. It not only indicates that on the library shelves the book bearing the
class number 954 will come after that of 953 and so on. Similarly 511 will come earlier than
512 on the shelves, not that it is of less value than 512. And-by the same rule, 45 will come earlier
than 5, and 301 earlier than 92.

Depiction of Hierarchy through Notation

With notation alone we do not know the importance or value of a subject, but it does help to
determine its relative status and location among other subjects in the universe of knowledge.
Notation also helps us to know the relative breadth or depth of a subject and its relationship
with other subjects on its left and right sides. DDC & .4 hierarchical classification. This means
that coordination and subordination of subjects is depicted through notation. For example, of
the two subjects denoted by 5 and 51, we say that 51 is subordinate to 5 and 515 is subordinate to
51 in turn. In other words, 515 is a part of 51 which in turn is part of 5. Thus, the hierarchical order
of these figures/subjects will be:

5
51
515
This is only possible if the notation is of decimal fractions.

4.7.2 Basic Plan and Convention of a Minimum of Three Digits

DDC is a universal scheme and is able to classify books in all branches of knowledge. It treats the
whole of knowledge as unity, and divides it in ten mutually exclusive Main Classes denoted by
decimal numbers 0 to 9 as follows:
0 Generalities
1 Philosophy and related disciplines

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