025.431: The Dewey blog

Saved Libraries of Timbuktu

The web site of the Tombouctou Manuscripts Project (at the University of Cape Town) gives background information about the valuable manuscripts of Timbuktu, Mali, and efforts to study, preserve, digitize, and translate them, and make them available to modern scholars. "The city and its desert environs are an archive of handwritten texts in Arabic and in African languages in the Arabic script, produced between the 13th and the 20th centuries. The manuscript libraries of Timbuktu are significant repositories of scholarly production in West Africa and the Sahara."  The web site describes the manuscript libraries in Timbuktu, such as the Ahmed Baba Institute of Higher Learning and Islamic Research.  In one publication associated with the project and available for free download, The Meanings of Timbuktu, scholars describe the tradition of African scholarship into which the manuscripts fit; the work is classed in 001.2096623 Scholarship and learning of Mali, built with 001.2 Scholarship and learning plus T1—09 History, geographic treatment, biography plus T2—6623 Mali, according to instructions at T1—093-099 Specific continents, countries, localities; extraterrestrial worlds.

(Incidentally, Tombouctou is the French spelling of Timbuktu—French is the official language of Mali—and the spelling preferred in the Library of Congress Name Authority File.) 

After French and Malian troops retook Timbuktu from rebel forces (January 28), there were fears that many of Timbuktu's manuscripts had been destroyed.  Fleeing militants did attack the Ahmed Baba Institute.  "As Extremists Invaded, Timbuktu Hid Artifacts of a Golden Age" and "Historic Timbuktu Texts Saved From Burning" are among the news articles reporting that in fact most of Timbuktu's valuable manuscripts had been saved because they were hidden or relocated.

There is a long sad history of libraries around the world being destroyed, e.g., as described in Lost Libraries: The Destruction of Great Book Collections since Antiquity.  The work is classed in 027.009 History of general libraries, archives, information centers, built with 027 General libraries, archives, information centers, which has the class-here note "Class here comprehensive works on libraries, on archives, on information centers, on libraries and information centers devoted to special materials," plus T1—09 History and biography (extra zero for standard subdivisions as instructed at 027.009).

What about the heroes who saved the manuscripts of Timbuktu?  One thinks of the war in Iraq, and of Alia Muhammad Baker, the librarian who smuggled books to safety in war-torn Basra.  Two children's books celebrate her: Alia's Mission: Saving the Books of Iraq: Inspired by a True Story and The Librarian of Basra: A True Story from Iraq.  Both are classed in 020.92 Biography of archivists, information scientists, librarians, built with 02 Library and information sciences (final placeholder 0 in 020 deleted before notation added) plus T1—092 Biography.  DDC does not have a special number for librarians who are heroes, but we recognize them nevertheless—kudos!

Interdisciplinary Works

In contrast to numbers for comprehensive works on a subject (see recent blog post), which cover a subject from its various viewpoints within a single discipline, numbers for interdisciplinary works treat a subject from the viewpoint of more than one discipline.  For example, works that cover databases from the perspective of both computer science and information science should be classed in 025.04 Information storage and retrieval systems (“Class here . . . interdisciplinary works on databases”); note that the designation of 025.04 as the interdisciplinary number for databases overrides the first-of-two rule, which would call for works equally on databases in computer science (classed at 005.74 Data files and databases) and on databases in information science (classed at 025.04) to be classed in the first of those numbers, i.e., in 005.74.  The interdisciplinary works number designation calls instead for the use of 025.04.

One restriction on the use of the designated interdisciplinary number for a subject is that the work being classed must include significant material on the subject from the perspective of the discipline of the interdisciplinary number.   Consider, for example, a work on symbolism in religion and literature.   The interdisciplinary number for symbolism is 302.2223 Symbols (“Class here interdisciplinary works . . . on symbolism”); the comprehensive number for symbolism in religion is 203.7 Symbolism, symbolic objects, sounds (or 246.55 Symbols if predominantly about Christian symbolism), while the comprehensive number for symbolism in literature is 808.8015 Collections displaying symbolism (built from 808.8 Collections of literary texts from more than two literatures, plus facet indicator 0, plus notation T3C—15 Symbolism, allegory, fantasy, myth, as instructed under 808.801–808.803 Collections displaying specific features).  (The numbers for Symbolism—literature and Symbolism—religious significance are given in the Relative Index.)  The interdisciplinary number for symbolism represents the perspective of social psychology; however, if this perspective is not represented significantly in the work, we do not use the interdisciplinary number for symbolism, but use instead a religion number, as directed by the first-of-two rule.

How can interdisciplinary numbers for subjects be found?  As seen in the examples above, interdisciplinary works are sometimes given in class-here notes.  But the more general and more useful answer is that they are to be found in the Relative Index.  The most efficient strategy for finding interdisciplinary numbers in WebDewey is easily duplicated in the print Relative Index.

Interdisciplinary numbers follow the same pattern as other situations in which multiple topics call for the consideration of multiple numbers:  Statements here about the number that a work should be classed in should be understood to address only the assignment of the standard DDC number, captured in the 082 field (Dewey Decimal Classification Number) of the MARC bibliographic record.  Numbers for the subject from other perspectives that are not chosen as the standard number should be considered for inclusion in the 083 field (Additional Dewey Decimal Classification Number). 

Comprehensive works

A recent blog post on the rule of three ended with an example that depended on the comprehensive number for Minor Prophets.  We quickly realized that we shouldn’t let too much time pass before addressing comprehensive numbers, or alternatively, numbers for comprehensive works.

Section 7.16 of the DDC Introduction explains that "comprehensive works treat a subject from various points of view within a single discipline. Comprehensive works may be stated or implied."   Comprehensive works that are made explicit are, of course, easy to recognize.  When the class-elsewhere note at 005.82 Data encryption reads, "Class comprehensive works on electronic signatures in 005.8" and the class-here note at 006.42 Optical pattern recognition reads "Class here comprehensive works on optical pattern recognition and computer graphics," the presence of a comprehensive works number is uncontroversial.  But how can one recognize an implied comprehensive works number?

See references play a major role in helping the user to identify implied comprehensive works numbers.  As stated in section 7.20 of the Introduction, "see references lead from a stated or implied comprehensive number for a concept to the component (subordinate) parts of that concept in a different notational hierarchy."  For example:

358.17   Guided missile forces

Class here strategic missile forces, nuclear missile forces

Class strategic land missile forces in 358.1754

For air guided missile forces, see 358.42; for naval guided missile forces, see 359.9817

The see references in this entry give evidence that 358.17 Guided missile forces is the comprehensive works number for the subject in the caption.  Specific points of view (that is, of air guided missile forces and of naval guided missile forces) are drawn off to other numbers.  At 358.42 Bombing forces, we find air-to-underwater guided missile forces mentioned in the including note and find air-to-surface guided missile forces and comprehensive works on air guided missile forces mentioned in the class-here note.  A see reference in this entry draws off air-to-air guided missile forces in turn to 358.43 Pursuit and fighter forces.   

If we had a work on guided missile forces in general, it would be classed in 358.17 Guided missile forces.  If, however, we had a work on air-to-surface guided missile forces, air-to-underwater guided missile forces (both 358.42) and air-to-air guided missile forces (358.43), we would use the comprehensive works number for air guided missile forces, i.e., 358.42 Bombing forces.  (We would also choose 358.42 over 358.43 by the first-of-two rule.)

Section 7.20 of the Introduction continues:  "throughout Table 2, see references (often in footnote form) lead from the implied comprehensive number for a jurisdiction, region, or feature to its subordinate parts in other classes."  For example:

T2—496      *Balkan Peninsula

Class here *Danube River

*For a specific part of this jurisdiction, region, or feature, see the part and follow instructions under —4–9

The Danube flows through or borders numerous countries, including Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Moldova, Ukraine, and Romania.  Class numbers have been designated specifically for the Danube River in Germany, i.e., T2—433 Bavaria (Bayern), and in Austria, i.e., T2—43612 Lower Austria (Niederösterreich).  A work comparing the Danube River in Germany, Austria, and Serbia (T2—4971) should use the comprehensive works number for Danube River and be classed in 949.6 Balkan Peninsula.  

As just seen, numbers for (implicit) comprehensive works are given for many geographic jurisdictions, regions, and features.  Similarly, they are often given for time periods.  For example, at 941.081 Reign of Victoria, 1837–1901, we have the note "Class here 19^th century."  In conjunction with this comprehensive treatment of the 19^th century in the British Isles are also see references for portions of the 19^th century classed elsewhere:  For 1800–1820, see 941.073; for 1820–1830, see 941.074; for 1830–1837, see 941.075 (referencing 941.073 Reign of George III, 1760–1820; 941.074 Reign of George IV, 1820–1830, and 941.075 Reign of William IV, 1830–1837).  What if we have a work on the history of the pre-Victorian reigns from 1800 to 1837?  Should it be classed in 941.081, the comprehensive number for the 19^th century, or should it be classed in 941.07 Period of House of Hanover, 1714–1837?  The answer is 941.07 Period of House of Hanover, 1714–1837, since this number is in the upward hierarchy for all of the relevant time periods and since 941.081 Reign of Victoria, 1837–1901 covers none of that same time.

Numbers for comprehensive works are also given for some combinations of subjects, especially when the comprehensive works number overrides the first-of-two rule.  An example of this situation occurs in conjunction with the number for comprehensive works on midrange and personal computers, 004.16 Personal computers, even though 004.14 Midrange computers comes first.

Statements here about the number that a work should be classed in should be understood to address the assignment of the standard DDC number, captured in the 082 field (Dewey Decimal Classification Number) of the MARC bibliographic record.  Numbers for component parts of the subject that are not chosen as the standard number should be considered for inclusion in the 083 field (Additional Dewey Decimal Classification Number). 

The First-of-Two Rule

Section 5.7 of the DDC Introduction indicates that a work on two subjects should be classed with the subject receiving fuller treatment.  But what about works in which the two subjects receive equal treatment?  In this case we invoke the first-of-two rule—but only if the rule of application, which takes precedence over other rules, doesn’t apply.  This rule instructs us to class such a work in the number coming first in the DDC schedules. 

Note that the first-of two rule does not instruct us to class the work in the number of the subject coming first in the title of the work.  Such an interpretation would make collocation an issue of whether all works on the two-subjects-treated-equally happened to name them in the same order in the title.  The first-of-two-rule also does not instruct us to class the work in the number of the subject coming first in the alphabet.  This would make collocation an issue of whether all languages name the two subjects so that they stand in a single fixed order.  In contrast, using the schedules as the basis for the first-of-two rule provides a mechanism whereby two-subjects-treated-equally will consistently be classed in the same number.

For example, given the first-of-two rule, works giving equal treatment to 782.26 Motets and 782.294 Psalms should be classed in the first of the two numbers, that is, in 782.26.  And, given the first-of-two rule, works giving equal treatment to 746.422 Knotting and 746.436 Tatting should be classed in the first of the two numbers, that is, in 746.422. 

Of course a work giving equal treatment to knotting and tatting is as relevant to tatting as it is to knotting.  Statements throughout this post about the number that the first-of-two rule instructs us to use should be understood to address the assignment of the standard DDC number, captured in the 082 field (Dewey Decimal Classification Number) of the MARC bibliographic record.  The number not chosen as the standard number should be considered for inclusion in the 083 field (Additional Dewey Decimal Classification Number).  Our work on knotting and tatting might then have the following fields added to its bibliographic record:

082         #4            $a  746.422 $2 23

083         #4            $a  746.436 $2 23

while our work on motets and psalms might have the following fields assigned:

082         #4            $a  782.26 $2 23

083         #4            $a  782.294 $2 23

As we saw in a follow-up post on the rule of application, sometimes the basic rules that govern the assignment of numbers in the DDC are built into its notes.  For example, consider a work on abstracting (025.41 Abstracting) and subject indexing (025.47 Subject indexing and cataloging), which gives the two subjects equal treatment.  By the first-of-two rule, such a work should be classed in the first of the two numbers, that is, in 025.41.  Application of the rule is reinforced in this context by the class-here note at 025.41, which states that comprehensive works on abstracting and subject indexing are to be classed in that number.  Another example can be found at 382.093–382.099 International commerce in specific continents, countries, localities.  Provision is made here for representing commerce between two geographic units by adding Table 2 notation for both of them, separated by an intervening 0.  If the work emphasizes one of the geographic units, its Table 2 notation is given first.  But “if emphasis is equal, give priority to the one coming first in Table 2,” which echoes the first-of-two rule.

Sometimes, however, notes are given that override the first-of-two rule.  Consider, for example, a work giving equal treatment to American literature (which is classed in 810 American literature in English) and British literature (which is classed in 820 English and Old English literatures).  By the first-of-two rule, such a work would be classed in the first of the two numbers, i.e., 810.  But at 810 we find the class-elsewhere note, “Class comprehensive works on American literature in English and English literature in 820.”  Another example arises with works giving equal treatment to historical bibliography, which is found in the class-here note of 002 The book, and analytical bibliography, which is classed in 010.42 Analytical bibliography (Descriptive bibliography).  By the first-of-two rule, such a work would be classed in the first of the two numbers, i.e., 002.  But at 002 we find the class-elsewhere note, “Class comprehensive works on historical and analytical bibliography in 010.42.” 

An exception to the first-of-two rule comes into play when the two subjects are the two major subdivisions of a broader subject, in which case a work giving equal treatment to the two subjects is to be classed in the number for the broader subject of which they are major subdivisions.  For example, a work giving equal treatment to dialectology (417.2) and historical linguistics (417.7) should be classed in 417 Dialectology and historical linguistics (and not in 417.2), because 417.2 and 417.7 are the two major (and indeed, the only) subdivisions of 417. 

Finally, what may seem like a subtle distinction needs to be drawn between treatment of two subjects, to which the first-of-two rule may apply, and two aspects of a single subject, to which preference notes and preference tables apply.  We have seen that classification of a work giving equal treatment to the two subjects, knotting and tatting, is governed by the first-of-two rule.  Consider by way of contrast a work on knotted rugs, a single subject with two aspects.  The one aspect is classed in 746.422 Knotting; the other aspect is classed in 746.7 Rugs.  If the first-of-two-rule applied (but it doesn’t), the work would be classed in 746.422, but the preference table under 746.1–746.9 gives priority to 746.7 Rugs over 746.4 Needlework and handwork.

 

Abridged Edition 15 and Segmentation in WebDewey

Are you interested in using WebDewey to produce Abridged Edition 15 numbers? If yes, do you have "Show" checked under Segmentation Options on the Preferences page of WebDewey?  If yes, you should be able to see the segmentation marks (/) and segmentation instructions described below.

What do the segmentation marks in WebDewey indicate?  The end of the Abridged 15 number. 

If you find a particular segmentation mark or instruction confusing, look to the bottom of the WebDewey screen at the box labeled Abridged Edition 15 and click the appropriate link to see the relevant portion of the PDF. The explanation of segmentation that follows is intended to reduce the number of times that you will need to consult the PDFs—especially since, as the blog entry "WebDewey's New [Abridged] Look" said, "One caveat: the PDFs contain static content, and will not be updated as changes to DDC 23 are introduced."

Let's consider some examples of segmentation.  If you browse the Relative Index for "supercomputers" you will find as the first entry:

Supercomputers 004.1/1

If you click to see the full record, you will see the same segmentation mark in 004.1/1 in the hierarchy box.  If you click the span 004.11-004.16 Digital computers in the hierarchy box to see that full record, you will see that the subdivisions for mainframe computers (004.1/2) and midrange computers (004.1/4) similarly have a segmentation mark after the 1, but the subdivision for personal computers (004.16) has no segmentation mark.

What this means is that the abridged number for supercomputers, for mainframe computers, and for midrange computers is 004.1--but the abridged number for personal computers is 004.16.  If you click the link for 000 in the box labeled Abridged Edition 15 and go to 004.1 in the PDF, you will find that 004.1 General works on specific types of computers has no subdivisions 004.11, 004.12, or 004.14, but it does have a subdivision 004.16 Personal computers (and 004.16 has further subdivisions). Supercomputers, mainframe computers, and midrange computers are all mentioned in the including note at 004.1.

For another example, if you browse the Relative Index for "computer scientists" you will find:

Computer scientists                                    004.092
Computer scientists--collected biography       004.092/2

The segmentation mark in 004.092/2 means that the Abridged 15 number for collected biography of computer scientists is 004.092.  If you click to see the full record for 004.092/2, you will see the same segmentation mark in 004.092/2 in the hierarchy box.  The orange puzzle-piece symbol marks it as a built number that does not appear in the schedule.

Since the number was built with notation from Table 1, you can search for "t1--0922" and click to see the full record (or browse the Relative Index for "collected biography"), and you will find that T1--092/2 Collected biography also has a segmentation mark after 092.  If you check the T1 PDF in the Abridged Edition 15 box, you will find that —092 Biography has no subdivisions, and "collected biography" is mentioned in the including note under —092.  Hence the segmentation mark in 004.092/2 correctly marks the end of the abridged number.

For another example, if you browse "Mexican cooking" in the Relative Index, you will get one entry, pointing to a number with no segmentation mark:

Mexican cooking 641.5972

If you click to see the full record, you will see that the number 641.5972 is a built number that does not appear in the schedule (orange puzzle-piece), and still there is no segmentation mark.  If in the hierarchy box you click the span 641.593-641.599 Cooking characteristic of specific continents, countries, localities to see that full record, you can see the add note that was used to build the number, plus a segmentation instruction:

Add to base number 641.59 notation T2--3-T2--9 from Table 2, e.g., Southern cooking (United States) 641.5975

Segmentation Instruction: Segment as shown in Table 2

That segmentation instruction means that the instruction to add from Table 2 is present in Abridged Edition 15, and the abridged number ends after the abridged Table 2 notation.  If you browse the Relative Index for Mexico, or check the T2 PDF for Abridged Edition 15, you will find that the abridged Table 2 number for Mexico is T2--72; hence the abridged number for Mexican cooking is 641.5972.

If you browse the Relative Index for "Zanzibari cooking," you will find a number with a segmentation mark before the final 1:

Zanzibari cooking 641.59678/1

In the full record, the same segmentation mark appears in 641.59678/1 in the hierarchy box:

 

If you browse the Relative Index for "Zanzibar," you will find that the Table 2 number T2--678/1 also has a segmentation mark before the final 1:

Zanzibar T2--678/1

Hence the correct Abridged Edition 15 number for Zanzibari cooking is 641.59678.

One more example.  If you browse the Relative Index for "roses" you will find:

Roses                     635.9/33734
Roses—arts             T3C--3643734
Roses—botany         583/.734
Roses—floriculture    635.9/33734

The floriculture number for roses in Abridged Edition 15 is 635.9, because the segmentation mark follows the 9 in 635.9/33734.  The botany number for roses in Abridged Edition 15 is 583, because the segmentation mark follows the first 3 in 583/.734.  Why does the Table 3C number for roses have no segmentation mark?  Abridged Edition 15 has no Table 3C; none of T3C--3643734 is included in any abridged number.

If you click to see the full record for 635.9/33734, you will find a segmentation mark after 635.9 in all the numbers below 635.9 in the hierarchy, including the span 635.9/33-635.9/38 Taxonomic groupings--except for 635.93-635.97 Groupings of plants.

Why does the span 635.93-635.97 Groupings of plants have no segmentation mark?  The technical reason is that the span is a centered entry, and centered entries get no segmentation marks.  The technical reason is unimportant; the take-away is this: if you see a span in the hierarchy box with no segmentation mark, you must look at the specific subdivisions to see whether they have segmentation marks.

For information about the change in segmentation practice that began September 1, 2005, see the previous blog entry "Sweet segment solution" and related discussion paper.

Rule of Application, Part 2

 

Last week's post on the rule of application noted that this rule has been woven into the schedules of the DDC and promised this follow-up post with further examples.  In the meantime, Juli's post on recycling plastics concluded in this manner:

It should come as no surprise that works on recycling specific materials are classed according to the rule of application: recycling applied to plastics classed with plastics, recycling applied to a specific kind of plastic classed with the kind of plastic, recycling of specific kinds of wastes classed with specific kinds of wastes. . . .  Nevertheless, it is still necessary to check the Relative Index and notes to see exactly what DDC numbers should be used.

This post proceeds along two avenues.  We will start with two large-scale implementations of the rule of application in the schedules.  Then we will consider several recent developments in the schedules that have been driven by the rule of application.

One large-scale implementation of the rule of application is found in 610 Medicine and health with regard to the relationship between 615 Pharmacology and therapeutics and 616 Diseases.  This relationship is so crucial that the rule of application finds explicit statement in the schedules, even though it is standard operating procedure (pun intended!).  At 615.5 Therapeutics we find the following scatter class-elsewhere note:

Class therapies applied to a specific disease or group of diseases with the disease or group of diseases in 616–618, plus notation 06 from table under 616.1–616.9, notation 06 from table under 617, or notation 06 from table under 618.1–618.8, e.g., therapies for cardiovascular diseases 616.106

And at 615.7 Pharmacokinetics we find the following scatter class-elsewhere note:

Class use of a drug to treat a specific disease or group of diseases with the disease or group of diseases in 616–618, plus notation 061 from table under 616.1–616.9, notation 061 from table under 617, or notation 061 from table under 618.1–618.8, e.g., drug treatment for diseases of liver 616.362061

Therefore, for example, works on the treatment of arthritis using acupressure are classed in the number for arthritis (616.722 Arthritis) rather than in the number for acupressure (615.8222 Acupressure).  Numbers for diseases allow for addition of notation from the internal add table under 616.1–616.9, where we find 06 Therapy and subdivisions, including 062-069 Other therapies, with an add instruction to add the numbers following 615.8 in 615.82–615.89.  The specific number for treatment of arthritis using acupressure therefore is 616.72206222.

Another large-scale implementation of the rule of application is found in 780 Music.  This time the rule of application finds form, not as an explicit statement in a class-elsewhere note, but as an implicit effect of the class-with-the-last preference order that governs the 780s.  As pointed out in the Manual note for 780 Music, the usual arrangement or facet order in music is executant, form, general principles, and standard subdivisions.  We find executants in 782 Vocal music, 783 Music for single voices, and 784–788 Instruments and their music; it is useful for our purposes to note that these numbers are not only for the voices and instruments that produce music, but also for the music they produce.  We find musical forms that are executant-specific in the early numbers of their ranges (e.g., 782.1–782.4 Vocal forms, 784.18 [Instrumental] Musical forms) and those that are not executant-specific in 781.8 Musical forms.  We find general principles that are executant-specific in the earliest numbers of their ranges (e.g., 782.01–782.07 General principles of vocal music, 784.11–784.17 General principles of instruments and instrumental ensembles and their music) and those that are not executant-specific in, e.g., 781.1 Basic principles of music, 781.3 Composition, and 781.4 Techniques of music.  OK, so the class-with-the-last preference order implements the facet order (that is, executants come last, preceded by form, which in turn is preceded by general principles; and, as always, standard subdivisions come last), but what does this have to do with the rule of application?  It’s this:  processes and techniques that can be applied to music, e.g., composition, arrangement, performance, conducting, recording, are included in the general principles grab bag.  Therefore—after the lengthy prelude, do we now need a drum roll? (oops, inflicting punishment again)—processes and techniques applied to musical forms or to music-by-kinds-of-executants are classed with the forms or executants.  For example, works on the composition of fugues are classed in the number for fugues (784.1872 Fugues) rather than in the number for composition (781.3 Composition).  Numbers for specific musical forms allow for addition of notation from the internal add table under 781.2–781.8, where we find 1 General principles and an instruction to add the numbers following 781 in 781.1–781.7.  The specific number for composition of fugues therefore is 784.187213.

Now we turn to several examples, all involving computing, showing how the rule of application guides ongoing development of the DDC.  We note first that works on the application of computers to a subject are classed in the number for the subject followed by T1—0285 Computer applications, if appropriate.  Thus, when we relocated computational linguistics from 410.285 (Linguistics) Computer applications to 006.35 Natural language processing, it then became possible to express computational linguistics applications by adding T1—0285635, following the add instruction at T1—0285.  Consistent with the rule of application, works on the use of natural language processing / computational linguistics to accomplish certain tasks are classed with the task, plus notation T1—0285635.  Hence we get automatic abstracting 025.410285635 (025.41 Abstracting), word sense disambiguation 401.430285635 (401.43 Semantics), automatic part-of-speech tagging and automatic parsing 415.0285635 (415 Grammar of standard forms of languages), and machine translation 418.020285635 (418.02 Translating).

Questions on how to treat subjects like wireless Internet, wireless LANs, and wireless metropolitan networks were easily answered through the rule of application:  class in the number for the kind of network.  Therefore, wireless Internet is classed in 004.678, wireless LANs in 004.68, and wireless metropolitan networks in 004.67.

With DDC 23 additional concepts were incorporated into existing computer science classes.  Two of these were integrated development environments (IDEs) and application frameworks. Webopedia describes an IDE as "a programming environment integrated into a software application that provides a GUI builder, a text or code editor, a compiler and/or interpreter and a debugger."  So we had to decide whether to represent an IDE as a systems program (this is how interpreters, compilers, and assemblers are treated) or as an aid in programming (this is how application generators, text editors specially designed to assist in coding programs, and debuggers are treated).  Since the rule of application sided with the latter, "integrated development environments" was added to the class-here note at 005.1 Programming.  The pcmag.com encyclopedia characterizes an application framework as "a set of common software routines that provides a foundation structure for developing an application. Frameworks take the tedium out of writing all the program code for an application from scratch."  As with integrated development environments, the purpose of application frameworks is to support the development of programs.  The rule of application again leads to application frameworks being associated with 005.1 Programming, where "application frameworks" was also added to the class-here note.

The Rule of Application

Section 5.7 of the DDC Introduction addresses how to classify a work that includes more than one subject in the same discipline:

5.7   A work may include multiple subjects treated separately or in relation to one another from the viewpoint of a single discipline. Use the following guidelines in determining the best placement for the work:

(A)    Class a work dealing with interrelated subjects with the subject that is being acted upon. This is called the rule of application, and takes precedence over any other rule. For instance, class an analytical work dealing with Shakespeare's influence on Keats with Keats. Similarly, class a work on the influence of the Great Depression on 20th century American art with American art.

Here is introduced the rule of application, a rule that guides the classifier in classifying a work on interrelated subjects in which one subject can be said to act upon the other.  The rule states that such a work should be classed with the subject acted upon.  (The characterization of the rule of application in the Glossary—"The rule instructing that works about the application of one subject to a second subject or the influence of one subject on another subject are classified with the second subject"—indicates that the single discipline context in which the rule of application is presented in the Introduction is not defining/restrictive.)  The Introduction also makes clear that, if multiple rules apply to the classification of a work and one of those rules is the rule of application, it "trumps" (takes precedence over) all other rules.  (In fact, the pre-eminence of the rule of application is the motivation for starting our review of the rules here.)

The rule of application is also mentioned in section 8.12 of the Introduction, where we learn that the table of preference at the beginning of Table 1 is overruled by ("yields to") the rule of application. For example, "by the rule of application, teaching financial management in hospital administration is classed in 362.110681, not 362.11071, even though notation 07 is above notation 068 in the table of preference."  We have three subjects here:  hospitals, financial management, and teaching.  Teaching is applied to financial management, while financial management is applied to hospitals, financial management constituting one aspect of hospital administration.  Since hospitals are the core subject acted upon, we start with 362.11 Hospitals and related institutions.  We then add standard subdivision T1—0681 Organization and financial management because this is the subject element that acts upon hospitals.

Perhaps the most common applications of the rule of application concern the philosophy of a subject or the history of a subject.  Such works are classed in the subject, with standard subdivisions T1—01 Philosophy and theory or T1—09 History, geographic treatment, biography added to express philosophy or history, respectively.  Thus we have 109 for the history of philosophy and 901 for the philosophy of history.  (Imagine if the rule of application were reversed and the philosophy of all subjects was to be classed in the 100s and the history of all subjects in the 900s!) 

Given the rule of application:

• Works on Shakespeare's influence on Keats are classed in the number for Keats (821.7 English poetry—1800–1837) rather than in the number for Shakespeare (822.33 William Shakespeare under 822.3 Drama of Elizabethan period, 1558–1625).
• Works on the use of data mining to support business decisions are classed within business, in a subdivision of 658.4038 Information management ("Class here gathering of information by management or use in managerial decision making; information resources, knowledge management") rather than in 006.312 Data mining, its interdisciplinary home within computer science.  The specific number for data mining to support business decisions is 658.403802856312, built with the base number 658.4038, plus T1—0285 Computer applications, plus the numbers following 00 in 006.312, following the add instruction at T1—0285.
• Works on the chemistry of hydrocarbon combustion are classed in the number for hydrocarbons (547.01 Hydrocarbons) rather than in the number for combustion (541.361 Combustion).  Numbers for specific kinds of compounds identified by component elements allow for addition from the internal add table under 547, where we find 0453–0458 Specific topics of physical chemistry and the add instruction to add to 045 the numbers following 541.3 in 541.33–541.38.  The specific number for the chemistry of hydrocarbon combustion therefore is 547.0104561.
• Works on the fractography of glass are classed in the materials science number for glass (620.144 Glass) rather than in the number for fractography (620.1126 Resistance to fracture (Fracture mechanics)).  Numbers for specific kinds of materials allow for addition from the internal add table under 620.16–620.19, where we find 1–9 Specific properties and nondestructive testing and the add instruction to add the numbers following 620.112 in 620.1121–620.1129.  The specific number for fractography of glass therefore is 620.1446.
• Works on obedience training for retrievers are classed in the number for retrievers (636.7527 Retrievers) rather than in the number for obedience training (636.0887 Pets ["Class here obedience training").  Numbers for specific breeds of dogs allow for addition of notation from the internal add table under 636.1–636.8, where we find 35 Training.  The specific number for obedience training for retrievers therefore is 636.752735.  (The decision to class obedience training for retrievers with retrievers rather than with obedience training is reinforced by the rule of zero, which we will look at later.)

It is not by accident or mere coincidence in the final three examples that provision has been made for building numbers that express the complex subject we were interested in representing.  These reflect a pattern common throughout the DDC in which the rule of application has, in effect, been built into the DDC.  A follow-up post will give further examples of where the rule of application is woven into the schedules.

Malware Monday

Today is the day they pulled the plug.  Today, if your Internet service provider or your local machine is infected with a DNS-changing virus, you are not reading this posting, because the virus is altering your Internet searches, misdirecting them to false sites.  The website for the DCWG (DNS Changer Working Group) explains:

What is the DNS Changer Malware?

On November 8, the FBI, the NASA-OIG and Estonian police arrested several cyber criminals in "Operation Ghost Click". The criminals operated under the company name "Rove Digital", and distributed DNS changing viruses, variously known as TDSS, Alureon, TidServ and TDL4 viruses. You can read more about the arrest of the Rove Digital principals here, and in the FBI Press Release.

What does the DNS Changer Malware do?

The botnet operated by Rove Digital altered user DNS settings, pointing victims to malicious DNS in data centers in Estonia, New York, and Chicago. The malicious DNS servers would give fake, malicious answers, altering user searches, and promoting fake and dangerous products. Because every web search starts with DNS, the malware showed users an altered version of the Internet.

Under a court order, expiring July 9, the Internet Systems Consortium is operating replacement DNS servers for the Rove Digital network. This will allow affected networks time to identify infected hosts, and avoid sudden disruption of services to victim machines.

And what is DNS? you may ask.  It's the Domain Name System, which, in a nutshell, allows Internet users to enter user-friendly (OK, semi-user-friendly) URLs (Uniform Resource Locators) like http://ddc.typepad.com/025431/, without having to know that the associated IP address (which indicates the location of the resource) is 204.9.177.195.

Viruses, such as the DNS Changer, join worms, spyware, Trojan horses, etc., in 005.84 Malware, where they all appear in the including note.  Computer viruses and malware is representative of the many titles classed in this number.

The LCSH "Internet domain names" has been mapped to 004.678 Internet, where works like Domain names: how to choose and protect a great name for your website are classed.  As numerically based equivalents, IP (Internet Protocol) addresses should be classed in the same number.  Works on the Internet Protocol itself, however, should be classed in 004.62 Interfacing and communication protocols, where a work like IP switching protocols and architectures is to be found.

EPC Meeting 135

Joan is off in Florence (yes, Florence, Italy, not Florence, Nebraska) speaking at the Global Interoperability and Linked Data in Libraries Seminar, so I’m stepping in to report on last week’s meeting of the Decimal Classification Editorial Policy Committee (EPC)—Meeting 135—held in Dublin (yes, Dublin, Ohio, not Dublin, Ireland—hmm, that just doesn’t have quite the same ring to it, does it?).   Stay tuned for a report from Joan on the Florence meeting later this week.

This EPC meeting had a strong people component to it—and we’re not talking Table 1—08 Groups of people here.  

• EPC welcomed two new committee members:   Pat Riva, Coordinator of the Monographs Section in the Cataloguing Directorate for Heritage Collections (Direction du traitement documentaire des collections patrimoniales) at Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec (BAnQ) in Montreal, Canada, and Gert de Jager,  Subject Cataloguer, Unisa Library, University of South Africa in Pretoria, South Africa.  Incidentally, Pat is also speaking at the Florence seminar.
• EPC celebrated the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee by re-electing Caroline Kent (British Library) as chair and electing Jonathan Furner (UCLA, but, as you may recall, formerly an assistant editor of the DDC) as vice-chair (you can take the Englishman out of the British Isles, but fortunately the accent lingers on).  Jonathan replaces Anne Robertson (Australian Committee on Cataloguing), who had served the maximum number of years as vice-chair.
• EPC passed a resolution congratulating and offering best wishes to Jay Jordan, outgoing president and CEO of OCLC.  As the resolution noted, Jay has “unfailingly [advocated] and [supported] the mission of the Dewey Decimal Classification;” we trust he will remain “a Friend of Dewey.”
• Where’s the picture of all these people? you ask.   Remember our trusty photographer Giles Martin, who retired from his position as assistant editor of the DDC last year and returned home to Australia?   The lack of an official photograph of the EPC meeting is only one of the more visible losses (pun intended) we have suffered with Giles’ relocation to Australia.   (But note that we have not discontinued him!  Giles is still contributing to DDC maintenance and development.)

The agenda included proposals related to modifications to EPC work methods and DDC development (for example, how can data from WorldCat be used to inform development of the DDC?), new editorial rules for segmentation and for oceans and seas, and updates to the classification.   More particularly, a new standard subdivision for archaeology is coming; small updates to the classification in Table 2 Geographic Areas were approved, as were updates in 004-006 Computer science and 330 Economics.  The committee considered discussion papers on Islamic law; the treatment of marriage, partnerships, and unions in the DDC; and the possible adoption of a new taxonomic basis for 583-584 Angiosperms. The committee approved follow-up discussion and consultation on all but the last.

The committee had a wide-ranging discussion on engaging with Dewey users and the role of social media. The agenda also included presentations on modeling topics in the DDC, DDC research, DDC training, edition-level metadata, Dewey linked data, data provenance, upcoming enhancements to WebDewey 2.0, and the virtual chronological/regional religion browser.

Two follow-up electronic meetings have been scheduled:  Meeting 135A will take place the first week in October and will focus on Islamic law, while Meeting 135B has been scheduled for the first week in November to consider a revised proposal on marriage, partnerships, and unions.   The next face-to-face meeting of EPC—Meeting 136—will be held at OCLC headquarters in Dublin, Ohio, 13–14 May 2013.

Maya Calendar

The Maya calendar has been in the news recently, e.g., "Found: The Oldest Maya Calendar (and No, the World's Still Not Ending)" (Time Science) and "Oldest Known Maya Calendar Found; No Signs of 2012 Doomsday" (ABC News). The Maya calendar is also a topic in an exhibit at the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology: Maya 2012: Lords of Time.

Searching in WebDewey for "maya calendar" (or browsing for it in the WebDewey Relative Index) yields the built number entry:

529.32978427 Maya calendar

The number is built with 529.32 Calendars of specific religions and traditions plus 978 from 299.78 Religions of specific groups and peoples, following the add instruction at 529.32, plus 427 from T5—97427 Peoples who speak, or whose ancestors spoke, Yucatecan languages, following the add instruction at 299.78.  The entry for T5—97427 has the class-here note: "Class here Yucatecan Maya." An example of a work classed in 529.32978427 is Maya Calendar Origins: Monuments, Mythistory, and the Materialization of Time. It has the following LCSHs:

Maya calendar
Maya astronomy
Maya cosmology

Works that emphasize controversial knowledge about the end of the world—whether arguing for or against the idea—are classed in 001.9 Controversial knowledge, which has the including note:  "Including . . . . the end of the world."  That number can be found in WebDewey by browsing the Relative Index for "end of the world" or by searching for it. Because the topic is in an including note, no further addition is possible.  An example of a work classed in 001.9 Controversial knowledge is The End of Time: The Maya Mystery of 2012. It has the LCSHs:

End of the world (Astronomy)
Maya calendar
Two thousand twelve, A.D.