INDICATOR DIGITS IN

COLON CLASSIFICATION
Department of Library and Information Science, Aligarh Muslim University

BY
NABEEL AHMAD 19LSM-14
HERA ANWAR 19LSM-15
ALINA SAMAN 19LSM-16
Introduction

The concept of indicator Digits as it is understood today has evolved through several
stages. The definitional parameters of this concept represented by various terms such as
Division figure; Auxiliary Numbers; Connecting Apparatus; Connecting Symbol;
Conjunction; Sign post; Fence; Signal Digit; Separating Digit; Facet indicator; Operator;
Connector; etc. have undergone a change with successive refinements in the general
theory of library classification.
A faceted classification like Colon does not provide ready-made numbers for compound
and complex subjects. They only give schedules of special isolates belonging to different
fundamental categories going with basic classes and schedules of common isolates and
schedules of speciators which can be attached to any host class or subject.
These schedules correspondent to the standard components of prefabricated instant
houses and the function of indicator digits in a faceted classification is like bolts, nuts, nails,
and rivets which join the requisite components of an instant house.
Continued…

With the help of indicator digits, in an assigned combination and permutation

“isolates from different schedules are assembled in a different way so as to
yield distinct class number for reach of a variety of compound subjects or
complex subjects.
Growth and development of the concept of ‘Indicator Digit Device’ as it
stands today in the context of the general theory of library classification is very
much linked with the use of ‘Indicator Digits’ in different stages of development
of faceted classifications. Hence it may be desirable to examine the various
stages of the development of indicators digits in the context of faceted
classification to have a proper comprehension of the concept ‘indicator digit
device’.
Indicator Digits In Colon Classification

 The use of different indicator digits in CC from the 1st edition to the 7th edition
(preview) has transformed it form rigidly faceted to freely faceted scheme of
classification. In the CC, Ranganathan used the term

 First Edition ‘Connecting apparatus’.

 Second- ‘Connecting apparatus’.
 Third- ‘Connecting symbols’.
 Fourth- ‘Connecting symbols’.
 Fifth- ‘Connecting symbols’.
 Sixth- ‘Connecting symbols’.
 Seventh- ‘Indicator Digits’.
Connecting digits in edition 1 (1993)

The Distinctive feature of first edition was that unlike the other schemes of
classification in vogue during that period, it did not assign readymade
number to subject. Instead, it provided different standard unit schedules for a
set of main subjects. By picking out a particular main subject number and
desired isolate number from the different standard unit schedules of isolates
and combining them with the help of connecting symbols in the assigned
manner.
0 (zero) Bias number device to form a compound subject
: (colon) colon device to form a complex subject
Ex- 1. Psychology applied to education S0T
2. Ethics in relation to fine arts R40N
Connecting digits in edition 2 (1939)

In the second edition – (dash) was added into the stock of CC’s indicator
digits. The digit was used for combining two or more class numbers (i.e.
isolates numbers) taken from one and the same ‘standard unit schedule’
and this method was known as ‘ Auto-bias device’. It may also be stated
that later in the sixth edition of CC (1960), this technique was given the name
of super-imposition device by Ranganathan.
- (dash) Auto-bias device
Ex- 1. Child medicine L-9c
2. Gypsy Woman Y15-738
Connecting digits in edition 3 (1950)

In the 3rd edition Ranganathan introduced term ‘phase relation’ to represent new
evolved concept. Five types of phase relations namely – Biasing phase, comparison
phase, influence phase, relation phase and tool/application phase were
recognized. It may be observed that at this stage, the substantive digits, which were
used only to represent concepts/ideas in cc, are also use to fulfill the function of
connecting digits or position fixers of different phase relations. Accordingly, lower
case indicator digits o, c, d, e, and : or :9 were fixed to indicate the respectively
phases in the third edition of CC.
After the third edition of cc, Ranganathan brought progressive refinements in the
concepts of phase relation as well as in the use of indicator digits to represent them.
Ex- 1. Geopolitics W.dU
2. Engineering biased to technology F:D
Connecting digits in edition 4 (1952)

The fourth edition is considered as the beginning of the era of ‘colon

classification version 2’ and which ends with the reprint of edition 6 of cc in
1963. At this stage cc becomes an ‘almost freely faceted’ classification from
the ‘rigidly faceted’ classification earlier versions.
Rangnathan on the suggestion of S. Parthasarathy proposed in his series of
articles entitled optional facets in library classification to have the following
connecting symbols to indicate “five fundamental elements”.

Time . (full stop)

Space . (full stop)
Energy : (colon)
Matter ; (semi colon)
Personality , (comma)
Continued....

It may be pointed out that the concept of “fundamental categories” was conceived by
Ranganathan prior to his proposal for having different connecting symbols for different
fundamental categories. The concept was first enunciated by him some time in 1942 later
explained in his book Library Classification fundamental and procedure.
In the forth edition of CC Ranganathan not only incorporated different connecting symbols
for facets belonging to different fundamental categories but also added to the stock of
indicator digits the (backward arrow) and (forward arrow) to indicate interval of
time and future time respectively.
Thus, it can be said the importance of forth edition of CC lies not only in the maiden use of
different digits for indicating different facets but also in the use of “Anteriorising indicator
digits” in CC.
Ex- 1. Future of democracy in India W6.44’P19
2. 16th to 19th century M J
Indicator digits in edition 5 (1957)

In the fifth edition of colon classification Ranganathan introduced another level of phase
relation namely “intra facet relation”. This relation defined as relation between two or more
isolates in one and the same facet and the isolates thus formed is called ‘complex isolates’.
In this edition a new category of digits, namely, ‘circular brackets’ were also introduced. These
digits are used to enclose the number formed with the help of subject device. The function of
the circular brackets being to give the status of single digited isolate number to all the including
indicator digits enclosed in circular brackets. The digits or digits which are enclosed in brackets
generally stand for a class number of a subject which is taken as characteristics for forming or
sharpening a facet or an isolate idea. The practice of enclosing the number formed with the
help subject device was introduced by Ranganathan to avoid “homonyms in class numbers”
and was given the name of “packet number device”.
Ex- 1. Medical college library 2,J3(L)
2. Hindu Law Z,(Q,2)
Indicator digits in edition 6 (1960)

In the sixth edition(1960) Ranganathan introduced the third level of ‘phase

relation’ namely ‘intra-array relation’ and used distinctively Roman small
letter to indicate different varieties of ‘intra-array relation’.
The notable landmark in the sixth revised edition(1963) is the use of digit ( ‘ )
(single inverted comma) to indicate time facet. The ordinal value of this
indicator digit is fixed less than that of (.) (dot) an indicator digit for space
facet.
Ex- 1. Basic schools in India in 1950 TN3.44’N5
2. Psychology for librarian s0b2
Indicator digits in CC edition 7 (1987)

The notational system of seventh edition colon classification consist of the following set of primary
digits.
• 23 Roman small letters (a……..z) excluding i, l, o
• 10 indo-Arabic numerals (0…..9)
• 26 Roman capital numerals (A…..Z)
• 14 other characters: Asterisk, backward arrow, Double inverted comma, parenthesis, ampersand,
single inverted comma, dot, colon, semi colon, comma, dash, equal to, plus and forward arrow.
The set of primary digits get divided into the following disjoint sub-sets, with respect to their sequential
characteristics.
 A sub-set of anteriorising digits consisting of digits { * “}
 A sub-set of non-anteriorising digits { ( & ‘ . : ; , - + = ) (a…..z) (A….Z)
Continued….

The digit belonging to the primary base of the notational system of CC play
one or more of the following varieties of roles besides the sequential role.
 Role of significant digits.
 Role of empty digits.
 Role of sectorising digits.
 Role of empty and emptying digits.
 Role of indicator digits.
Ex- 1. Relationship between Hinduism and Buddhism Q2&j4
2. Botany compared with zoology I&ck