Present problems of the development of UDC - Notes on the Madrid Session of FID/CCC

Abstract

The Madrid Session of FID/CCC, held in April, 1970, was characterized not only by decisions on current classification affairs but also by a seemingly more important issue: the session gave a clear outline of those trends which will certainly determine the course of development for the years to come. Deserving special mention among theae trends are:
1. Greater emphasis on the theoretical queations
This is quite natural since in the work of a number of working committees there appeared an inevitable divergence as to the solution of analogous questions. These questions were sometimes solved in an inconsistent, often contradictory manner. Thus it has become inevitable to tackle such problems as the uniform regulation of the development of UDC or as the question of priorities (i. e. the order of sequence) in case of possible alternate solutions, uniform terminology, unification of the application of common subdivisions. To solve all this, a special committee - CCC/F (Fundamentals of UDC) had already been set up, its work becoming increasingly important.
2. The problem of mechanization has gained in weight
In the documentation field, the breakthrough of punched card and mainly computer techniques has not only modified the conditions for the application of classsification but has also provided new opportunities. This opened up a new era, which necessarily and significantly influences the development of UDC. This thematic group also has a special committee: CCC/M (M for mechanization), and seminars are held in Copenhagen and Frankfort (UDC and Mechanization).
3. The problem of thesauri
The thesaurus, which earlier was regarded as a rival, now seems a new possibility for the improvement of the quality of UDC. This is made possible by the comparison of the concepts included in various thesauri with those of UDC, to retain the competitiveness of the latter. In so far as concepts included in UDC are considered as a form of thesaurus (which implies the revision and modernization of the system), the applicability of UDC may be extended to further fields. (Besides, its advantages coming from its hierarchical nature will remain intact.)
Deserving special attention is the debate following a memorandum by Prof. C. Petersen (GFR) on the use of UDC in the library and documentation field. In Prof. Petersen's view, the respective interests of libraries and documentation are conflicting since what libraries need is a good survey (rather than excessive details) and a high degree of stability, while documentation work requires as detailed a conceptual subdivision as possible so that it might follow - practically without any delay - the changes of science and scholarship. These double needs may only be met by parallel editions. According to CCC, this is provided for partly by the concise and medium editions, partly by the complete, unabridged editions. (This answer does not seem quite satisfactory.)
Most important among the up-to-date problems are those of subdivisions 03 (materials) and 04 (persons), a new classification now being in preparation under 03/04 for documentation and information, the utilization of division 4 and finally the filing order of UDC elements.
From the viewpoint of the extension of UDC, it is highly important that a general description of UDC (Universal Decimal Classification: Key to information) has been completed following decisions made by former sessions and is ready for a wide circulation. Published by FID, this booklet will appear in a large number of copies, giving a general (and brief) information on the fundamental principles, structure and development of UDC and also on the possibilities of modernization, use and the mechanization of this classification scheme.