The library of congress dewey Section

May 7, 2010

Decimal Classification Editorial Policy Committee

Karl E. Debus-López, Chief, U.S. General Division

Dewey Decimal Classification

OCLC Online Computer Library Center, Inc.
Via: Joan S. Mitchell, Editor in Chief

Dewey Decimal Classification

OCLC Online Computer Library Center, Inc.
Re: 006.2 Special-purpose systems
Relocation

From	To	Topic
004.1	006.22	Embedded computer systems
006.42	006.242	Bar coding

Expansion

From	To	Topic
006	006.2	Special-purpose systems
006	006.22	Embedded computer systems
006	006.24	Automatic identification and data capture
006	006.242	Bar coding
006	006.245	Radio frequency identification
006	006.246	Smart cards
621.38419	621.384192	Identification and locating

The Swedish translation team has asked for guidance in the classification of radio-frequency identification (RFID) systems. In our initial analysis, we determined that RFID and bar coding should be treated similarly: both are used for item identification; bar codes identify classes of items, while RFID tags, which carry more data, typically identify individual items. Along with magnetic stripe encoding, smart cards, optical character recognition, speaker recognition, and biometric identification, bar coding and RFID systems qualify as “automatic identification and data capture” (AIDC) technologies.

B. Hardware

C. Computer Systems Organization

C.0 GENERAL

C.1 PROCESSOR

C.2 COMPUTER-COMMUNICATION NETWORKS

C.3 SPECIAL-PURPOSE AND APPLICATION-BASED SYSTEMS

Subjects:

Microprocessor/microcomputer applications

Process control systems

Real-time and embedded systems

Signal processing systems

Smartcards

C.4 PERFORMANCE OF SYSTEMS

C.5 COMPUTER SYSTEM IMPLEMENTATION

D. Software

E. Data

F. Theory of Computation

H. Information Systems

I. Computing Methodologies

J. Computer Applications

K. Computing Milieux
From this outline, we see that category C in the ACM CCS aptly fits the characterization of hardware and software working together in a system, which corresponds to 004 in the DDC; however, C.3, with its special-purpose systems, fits better in 006 Special computer methods. In the DDC, application-based systems would be classed with the application, so we borrow only the “special purpose” portion of the subcategory title for the caption of a new subclass in 006 analogous to C.3. Since classes 006.3–006.8 are already in use, 006.2 appears to be the best number. We are relocating automatic data collection, which has been in an including note at 006, to an including note at 006.2, since most systems that use automatic data collection are special-purpose systems.
We are not inclined to treat all of the subjects given under ACM CCS C.3 in the new 006.2. For example, real-time systems will remain in 004.33, based on their association with a specific mode of processing; furthermore, many general-purpose systems use real-time processing. Of the subjects mentioned under C.3, only embedded computer systems and smart cards fit comfortably under the “special-purpose” umbrella in 006. Both have sufficient literary warrant to justify having their own numbers under 006.2. Indeed, there is sufficient literary warrant to expand for bar coding, RFID systems, and smart cards, which we develop under a more general class for all automatic identification and data capture; a scatter see reference for specific applications of AIDC technologies is also called for.
Embedded systems were introduced at 004.1 in 2008. In EPC Exhibit 128-12, we noted:

According to Michael Barr’s Embedded Systems Glossary, . . . an embedded system is “a combination of computer hardware and software, and perhaps additional mechanical or other parts, designed to perform a dedicated function” and contrasts with a general-purpose computer. Examples [include]: Microwave ovens, cell phones, calculators, digital watches, VCRs, cruise missiles, GPS receivers, heart monitors, laser printers, radar guns, engine controllers, digital cameras, traffic lights, remote controls, bread machines, fax machines, pagers, cash registers, treadmills, gas pumps, credit/debit card readers, thermostats, pacemakers, blood gas monitors, grain analyzers, and a gazillion others.” Embeddedness itself is an issue of systems design / architecture; however, embedded systems potentially include all the components of unembedded computer systems. We propose to locate comprehensive works on embedded computer systems at 004.1 and to include a scatter note to class aspects of embedded systems with the aspect.

This placement was not ideal: embedded computer systems were placed in 004.1 only because there was then no better place for them. The current proposal calls for the relocation of embedded computer systems out of 004.1 into 006.2 Special-purpose systems, which aptly fits Barr’s characterization. Tish Riegle, one of the LC classifiers who works with computer science materials, noted upon seeing this proposal that she highly favored the relocation.
RFID systems are increasingly used to implement real-time locating systems (RTLS). RTLS for Dummies has been classed in 621.384191 Direction and position finding, although a distinction can be drawn between direction and position finding technologies and identification and locating technologies. We would like to maintain the distinction between these two within the 620s and so propose developing a class for Identification and locating at 621.384192, with both real-time locating systems and automatic identification and data capture as class-here concepts. However, outside technologically-oriented areas in the classification, the distinction is not so useful. Thus we therefore propose that the interdisciplinary number for real-time locating systems be in the same class as the interdisciplinary number for global positioning systems, namely 910.285. A class-elsewhere note at 006.245 leads to 910.2856245 for real-time locating systems that use radio frequency identification.

004.1 General works on specific types of computers