What is Universal Decimal Classification (UDC) in Library Science

What is the Universal Decimal Classification (UDC)

Universal Decisional Classification (UDC) is a library classification method and the Bibliographic that represents a systematic system of all human knowledge and topics organized as a coherent system in which knowledge fields are related and inter-connected. It is also a complete classification, which is virtually universal.

The UDC (Universal Decimal Classification) the method is an international extension and use of the decimal classification method of Melvil Dewey. It emerged as a result of the International Conference of Bibliography held in 1895 in Brussels, Belgium.

This method was coined by two Belgian residents Henery La Fontaine and Paul Otlet and they felt the need for a subtle classification method for Universal Classification to all books and documents available at the IIB (International Institute of Bibliography). At this time DDC was very popular which attracted both of them.

As a result, IIB decided to use DDC and got permission to modify it from Melvil Dewey. As a result, the first complete international edition of the UDC, a new classification system, was published in 1905 in the French language named Manual the Repertoire Bibliographic Universal.

A total of seven editions have been published so far, followed by a shortened version.

Universal Decimal Classification (UDC) is also used in national bibliographies of more than 30 countries. Examples of millions of databases indexed by Universal Decimal Classification includes:

1. The network of Libraries and Information Centers in Switzerland (NEBIS)

2. Slovenian National Union Catalogue (COBIB.SI)

3. Hungarian National Union Catalogue (MOKKA)

4. VINITI RAS database (All-Russian Scientific and Technical Information Institute of the Russian Academy of Science)

5. Meteorological & Geoastrophysical Abstracts (MGA)

6. Portuguese National Bibliography (PORBASE)

UDC - Universal Decimal Classification

Features of UDC (Universal Decimal Classification)

Following are the features of Universal Decimal Classification

1. Universal Decimal Classification System - This classification method has been published as an international extension and use of DDC and hence it is named Universal Decimal Classification Scheme.

2. almost Faceted Classification - Ready Made Class No. in UDC like DDC. It has been given, so it is a Classification Scheme based on Enumerative Pattern but its arrangement is something called Scheme- Anything Faceted Scheme. As well, so it is almost Faceted Classification

3) Division of Main Class - In UDC, the entire knowledge world is divided into 10 main parts like DDC. as for example

Main classes

0 - Generalities

1 - Philosophy

2 - Religion

3 - Social Science

4 - Language

5 - Mathematics & Natural Se. (Pure Sc.)

6 - Applied Science

7 - Fine Arts

8 - Literature

9 - History & Geography

4) Subdivision of Main Class again - In the UDC knowledge world, the main class is again divided into 10 parts, which is as follows-

Division of Pure Sc. Re 51 into 10 parts

5. Pure Sc.           51 Mathematics

51. Mathematics  511 Arithmetic

52. Astronomy     512 Algebra

53. Physics          513 Geometry

54. Chemistry      514 Trignometry

55. Geology         515 Description Geometry

56. Paleontology  516 Analytical & Co. Ord. Geometry

57. Biology          517 Analysis, Calculus

58. Botany           518 Special Methods

59. Zoology         519 Combl. & Stat. Analysis, Probets.

5) Auxiliaries - In the UDC, Common Auxiliaries have been provided in place of Common Isolate. The following auxiliaries are used in this.

Common auxiliary of language = For language (=)

Common auxiliary of Form (0) for Format (0)

Common auxiliary of nationality (= ...) for nationality (= ...)

Common auxiliary of Time ("") (For Time ("")

Common auxiliary of Relation (:) (for relation (:)

6) Relative Index - Index used in UDC is a special type rather than a simple one, which is called the Relative Index. This helps classify the classifier

7) Indicator Digit - Provision of Indicator Digit has been made to add the notation of various posts in UDC.

For example - to add consecutive Main Classes  +

To add the Continuous Main Classes    /

To add related Main Classes                 :

To add subordinate Main Classes        []

8. Mixed Notation - Mixed notation is used in UDC for pure marking like DDC. It uses 10 Arabic Numbers and Roman Capital Alphabetical.

9. International Use - UDC is used in all major libraries of the world. It is highly popular due to its simplicity as well as wide capability.

In the context of the features of UDC, Milles sir has highlighted that UDC is a very useful classification method for the organization and arrangement of subjects. It is also a complete classification, which is virtually universal. 

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