Structures of Classification Systems

─Hierarchical and Multi-dimensional─

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to consider classification systems from structural point of view. First of all，we have to make a distinction between two kinds of categorization method of classification systems，one is categorized by their structures -hierarchical and multi-dimensional-，and the other is categorized by their expression style -enumerative and synthetic. Then，four leading classification systems，i.e.，Dewey Decimal Classification，Library of Congress Classification，Universal Decimal Classification，and Colon Classification，are located according to their structures. Special attention is given to the Dewey Decimal Classification. There are two interpretations of the structure of the DDC， one claims that DDC has complete hierarchical structure and the other claims that DDC partly introcluces multi-dimensional structure. This is also related to the matter of interpretation of the notation “0” one interpretes 0 as “generalities” and the other interpretes as “coorclination sign”.