Number Building Process in DDC:

DDC stands for Dewey Decimal Classification, which is a system used for classifying books and other materials in libraries. The DDC system is based on a hierarchical structure, in which subjects are divided into broad categories, and then into increasingly specific subcategories. The number building process in DDC involves creating a unique call number for a specific item, based on its subject content.

Basic Structure of DDC: DDC mainly consists of ten main classes, every main class has ten divisions and every division has ten sections.

The ten main classes of DDC 23rd edition are:

000 – Computer science, information, and general works

100 – Philosophy and psychology

200 – Religion

300 – Social sciences

400 – Language

500 – Natural sciences and mathematics

600 – Technology (Applied sciences)

700 – Arts and recreation

800 – Literature

900 – History and Geography

Each main class is divided into ten divisions: (there are a hundred divisions in DDC)

000 – Computer science, information, and general works

010 – Bibliography

020 – Library and information sciences

030 – Encyclopedias and books of facts

040 – [Unassigned]

050 – Magazines, journals, and serials

060 – Associations, organizations, and museums

070 – News media, journalism, and publishing

080 – Quotations

090 – Manuscripts and rare books

Each division is divided into ten sections: There are a thousand sections in DDC.

800 – Literature

820 – English and Old English literature

821 – English poetry

822 – English drama

823 – English fiction

824 – English essays

825 – English speeches

826 – English letters

827 – English satire and humor

828 – English miscellaneous writings

829 – Old English (Anglo-Saxon) literature

Number Building Process in DDC: The number building process by using inherent rules in the six tables of DDC.

Table-1: Standard Subdivision:

  • Rule-1: General rule: Ordinarily, it always attached to subjects
    • First, comes the main class
    • and then standard subdivision from table-1
    • The accumulation of those two ends up with the desired number.

Example-1: Dictionary of Physics:

Main Class

Physics

 530

Standard Subdivision

Dictionary

 -03

Desired Number

 530.3

Example-2: History of Political Science:

Main Class

Political Science

 320

Standard Subdivision

History

 -09

Desired Number

 320.9

According to the rule of DDC 23rd Edition, our desired number is 320.9 but according to the schedule, our desired number is 320.09.

  • Rule-2: (with Political Period): when it comes to historical period-
    • First, comes the main class
    • Then the range of historical periods followed by the main class.
    • Need to write the given instruction
    • Then the base number
    • and last the given period from table-1
    • End up with the desired number.

Example: Economic Condition in 2013:

Main Class

Economic Situation & Condition

 330.9

Historical Periods

 330.901-905

(Add to base number 330.90 the following -090 in notations 0901-0905 from table-1)

Base Number

 330.90

Periods 2013

 -090512

Desired Number

 330.9090512

Table-2: Areas:

  • Rule-1: General rule:
    • First, comes the main class
    • Then the number of the main class, in specific continents, countries, and localities in the modern world
    • then the table of instruction
    • Base number
    • At last the area notation from table-2

Example: Higher Education in Australia:

Main Class

Higher Education

 378

Higher Education in specific continents, countries, and localities in the modern world 378.4-.9

(Add to base number 378 notations 3-9 from table-2)

 

Base Number 378

Area

Australia

 -94

Desired Number

 378.94
  • Rule-2: when there is no area table in the main class, it needs to add “as for instruction -09” with the main class.

Example: Family Planning in Uganda:

Main Class

Family Planning/Birth Control

 363.96
As for instruction -09

Area

Uganda

 -6761

Desired Number

 363.96096761
  • Rule-3: when it comes to foreign relations and if the country is the motherland then;
    • First, comes the main class
    • Then it comes to the motherland number
    • Add “0”
    • At last, it needs to write other country number

Example: Foreign Relation between Bangladesh & India:

Main Class Foreign/International Relations 327

Foreign Relation of specific continents, countries, localities           327.3 – .9

(Add to base number 327 notations 3-9 from table-2; then for the relation between that add “0” to the result and notation 1-9 from table-2)

Base Number 327
Area Bangladesh -5492
As for Instruction 0
Area India -54
Desired Number 327.5492054
  • Rule-4: when it comes to foreign relations and if two countries are foreign countries then;
    • First, comes the main class
    • Then it comes lower notation from the two countries
    • Add “0”
    • At last, it needs to write other country number

Example: Foreign Relation between Japan & Korea:

Main Class Foreign/International Relations 327

Foreign Relation of specific continents, countries, localities           327.3 – .9

(Add to base number 327 notations 3-9 from table-2)

Base Number 327
Area Korea -519
As for Instruction 0
Area Japan -52
Desired Number 327. 519052
  • Rule-5: when one country helps another country then;
    • First, comes the main class
    • Then it comes which country to help
    • Add “0”
    • At last, it needs to write the country number that takes the help

Example: American Economic Aid to Bangladesh:

Main Class Economic/Foreign Aid 338.91

International assistance by specific jurisdictions and groups of jurisdictions in specific continents, countries, and localities                                      338.913 – .919

(Add to base number 338.91 notation 3-9 from table-2)

Base Number 338.91
Area USA -73
As for Instruction 0
Area Bangladesh -5492
Desired Number 338.917305492
  • Rule-6: In the migration from one country to another country then;
    • First, comes the main class
    • Then it comes which country to go
    • Add “0”
    • At last, it needs to write the number from which country

Example: Migration from Seria to Germany:

Main Class Migration 304.8
Migration 304.83 – .89

(Add to base number 304.8 notation 3-9 from table-2; then add “0” and to the result and notation from table-2)

Base Number 304.8
Area Germany -43
As for Instruction 0
Area Seria -5694
Desired Number 304.84305694
  • Rule-7: In Emigration from one country to another country then;
    • First, comes the main class
    • Then it comes to write the number from which country
    • Add “-09” (if there is no instruction)
    • At last, it needs to write which country to go

Example: Emigration from India to Canada:

Main Class Emigration 325.2

Emigration from specific continents, countries, and localities              325.23 – .29

(Add to base number 325.2 notation 3-9 from table-2)

Base Number 325.2
Area India -54
As for Instruction -09
Area Canada -71
Desired Number            325.2 540971
  • Rule-8: In Colonization;
    • First, comes the main class
    • Then it comes which country stands colony in other country
    • As for Instruction “-09” (if there is no instruction)
    • At last, it comes to write other country number.

Example: Colonization by the USA to Afghanistan:

Main Class Colonization 325.3

Colonization by specific continents, countries, and localities                325.33 – .39

(Add to base number 325.3 notations 3-9 from table-2)

Base Number 325.3
Area USA -73
As for Instruction -09
Area Afghanistan -581
Desired Number   325.37309581

Table-3: Subdivision of Individual Literature:

  • Rule-1: General rule:
    • First, comes the main class
    • Then come to the standard Subdivision of Individual Literature (SIL)

Example: Bengali Drama:

Main Class Bengali Literature 891.44
SIL Drama -1
Desired Number 891.441
  • Rule-2: When it comes to period, then;
    • First, comes the main class
    • Then comes the standard subdivision of individual literature (SIL)
    • Period from table-2

Example: Bengali Poetry in the 21st Century:

Main Class Bengali Literature 891.44
SIL Drama -1
Period 21st Century 72
Desired Number 891.44172

Table-4: Subdivision of Individual Language:

  • Rule:
    • First, comes the main class
    • Then comes the standard Subdivision of Individual Language (SIL)

Example-1: Bengali Dictionary:

Main Class Bengali Language 491.44
SIL Dictionary -3
Desired Number 491.443

Example-2: German Pronunciation:

Main Class German Language 430
SIL Pronunciation -152
Desired Number 431.52

Table-5: Ethnic and National Group:

  • Rule:
    • First, comes the main class
    • As for Instruction (-089)
    • Nationality

Example: Language of Bengalis:

Main Class Language 400
As for Instruction -089
Nationality Bengali 9144
Desired Number 408.99144

Table-6: Language:

  • Rule-1:
    • First, comes the main class
    • Write down the given Instruction
    • Base Number
    • And Last of all add language

Example: Korean translation into Bengali:

Main Class Korean translation 297.1225

(Add to base number 297.1225 notation 1-9 from table-6)

 

Base Number 297.1225
Language Bengali -9144
Desired Number 297.12259144
  • Rule-2: In the case of two languages, then;
    • First, comes the less know language as the main class
    • Then comes the standard subdivision of individual language (SIL) from table-4
    • And last, known language add as language

Example: English to Bengali Dictionary:

Main Class English Language 420
SIL Dictionary -3
Language Bengali -9144
Desired Number 423.9144
  • Rule-3: If both languages are less known then the language number with greater will be the main class and another will be language.

Example: English to French Dictionary:

Main Class French Language 440
SIL Dictionary -3
Language English -21
Desired Number 443.21
  • Rule-4: If one language influences another language, in this case;
    • The language that influences the other, will be the main class
    • As for instruction (-175)
    • And last of all, language

Example: Hindi Influence on Bengali:

Main Class Hindi Language 491.43
As for Instruction -175
Language Bengali -9144
Desired Number 491.431759144

It is apparent that the Number Building Process is a critical component of the DDC system and plays a vital role in the organization and retrieval of information in libraries. Its hierarchical structure and careful construction provide a powerful framework for effective information management and retrieval.