Abstract
A comparison of bibliographic descriptions between library descriptive cataloging and abstracting-and-indexing (A & I) services is tried, for the purpose of making clear something common and something different between the two. The comparison is executed by using rules for a bibliographic description and specifications for an exchange format that the author could get, and then the results of the comparison are arranged in the following order:
1) differences in setting descriptive elements,
2) differences in handling of each element.
As a result, it is proved that both bibliographic descriptions in descriptive cataloging and A & I services are fairly similar in setting bibliographic elements. Then, it is also proved that both bibliographic descriptions adopt the principle of transcription as a basic principle, and bibliographic descriptions in A & I services, however, permit bibliographic elements to be modified and/or translated when it is necessary.
Therefore, it can be concluded that both bibliographic descriptions are arriving at a substantial agreement in the general situation, however there remain various differences of the perception levels of importance.
