Colon classification

Colon Classification (CC) is a system of library classification developed by the Indian S. R. Ranganathan from Tamil Nadu, India. It was the first ever faceted (or analytico-synthetic) classification.

In an analytico-synthetic classification, subjects are divided into facets (aspects), and class numbers are synthesised from the classifications. Analytico-synthetic method is much more powerful than more traditional schemes such as the Library of Congress classification or Dewey Decimal Classification, but can result in much longer class numbers. It has been a major theoretical influence to classification researchers.

Its name "colon classification" comes from the use of colons to separate facets in class numbers. It is especially used in libraries in India.

Faceted classification is used in software engineering to support software reuse.

See also: Bliss bibliographic classification, Universal Decimal Classification