Classification Systems and Their Subjects. A General Analysis of Different Kinds of Classification Systems Characterized by Different Types of Subject
Ejnar Wåhlin · American Documentation · 1966
Abstract The purpose of this paper is to analyze different types of classification systems characterized by different types of subjects. The most important types of subjects in documentation are documents and terms, but other systems for other subjects are discussed. Systems of science are dealt with as an introduction to document systems. Every system ought to have a structure that will fit the subjects. The hierarchies for documents and terms are not the same. If we try to classify a category of subjects in a system made for another category of subjects (for example, classifying terms or technical products according to a document system) we will always meet with difficulties. We should not be bound for the future to now existing systems, but for each type of subject we have to create the best possible system or variant. Our aim should be to get a system of systems, where every individual system as far as possible—without distortion of its primary function—has common features with the other systems. Principles for designing a modern universal document system based on concepts and adapted to technology and a universal term system are advanced.