numbers to each class, category, and subcategory within the classification system. The decimal notation consists of a series of digits, each of which represents a specific level of detail or specificity within the classification system.
For example, in the DDC system, the main classes are represented by a single digit (e.g., 1 for “Philosophy and psychology,” 2 for “Religion,” etc.), and subclasses and categories are represented by additional digits to the right of the main class digit. For example, the subclass “Mathematics” within the main class “Pure science” (class 5) is represented by the number “510,” while the category “Trigonometry” within that subclass is represented by the number “517.”
In addition to the decimal notation, the DDC system also uses a system of captions and notation schedules to provide more detailed information about the meaning and content of each class, category, and subcategory. The captions provide a brief description of the class or category, while the notation schedules provide more detailed information about the specific topics and themes that are covered within each class, category, and subcategory.
Overall, the decimal notation and the system of captions and notation schedules are used together to create a comprehensive and detailed classification system that is used to organize and classify books and other materials according to subject matter in libraries around the world.