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Reasons are given for a proposed new universal decimal classification obtained by re‐allocating the subject fields of the UDC main classes according to present day views, state of knowledge, and priorities, and to subdivide these main classes only by subfields of subject fields. The specific facets of each field should be represented by a uniform array of special auxiliaries attached to the fields through the technique of interrupted subdivision. These should express the following categories: (1) Theory, (2) Objects, (3) Processes, (4) Attributes, (6) Order, organization, (7) Relation, (8) Determination, (9) Evaluation ((5) is left free for the moment). Proposals for further simplification of the scheme are outlined regarding the general categories, the symbols used, and the rules for syntagmatic organization, taking into account the implications of computer technology. Possible changes in the layout and editions of such a new classification are discussed.

A number of techniques have been studied for the automatic assignment of controlled subject headings and classifications from free indexing. These techniques involve the automatic manipulation and truncation of the free‐index phrases assigned to a document and the use of a manually‐constructed thesaurus and automatically‐generated dictionaries together with statistical ranking and weighting methods. These are based on the use of a statistically‐generated ‘adhesion coefficient’ which reflects the degree of association between the free‐indexing terms, the controlled subject headings, and the classifications. By the analysis of a large sample of manually‐indexed documents the system generates dictionaries of free‐language and controlled‐language terms together with their associated classifications and adhesion coefficients. Having learnt from the manually‐indexed documents the system uses these dictionaries in the subsequent automatic classification procedure. The accuracy and cost‐effectiveness of the automatically‐assigned subject headings and classifications has been compared with that of the manual system. The results were encouraging and the costs comparable to those of a manual system.

This paper reports on the design of a knowledge base for an automatic classification in the library science field, by using the facet classification principles of colon classification (CC). To do so, by designing and constructing a knowledge base that is able to be classified automatically, and by inputting titles or key words of volumes into the computer, it aims to create class numbers automatically through automatic subject recognition and processing of key words in titles through the facet combination method of CC. Especially, the knowledge base for classification was designed along with the principle of globe and cylinder, automatic classification which can be possible.

In visiting more than a hundred special libraries and information units in Britain (not to use their resources but to study their methods) I have often been concerned by the inadequacy of the private indexing systems in use, although there were many exceptions. The classifications were often crude, and/or outdated, and/or quite insufficiently detailed, and were seldom provided with good subject indexes. Alphabetical subject‐heading indexes are more difficult to assess on a brief visit, but these were seldom detailed enough, so that fifty or more documents could be indexed under one heading. Seldom was there a separate subject‐headings list, and often no recognition of the need of one. Guidance for the user was very often poor.

The aim of this article is to estimate the impact of faceted classification and the faceted analytical method on the development of various information retrieval tools over the latter part of the twentieth and early twenty‐first centuries.

The article presents an examination of various subject access tools intended for retrieval of both print and digital materials to determine whether they exhibit features of faceted systems. Some attention is paid to use of the faceted approach as a means of structuring information on commercial web sites. The secondary and research literature is also surveyed for commentary on and evaluation of facet analysis as a basis for the building of vocabulary and conceptual tools.

The study finds that faceted systems are now very common, with a major increase in their use over the last 15 years. Most LIS subject indexing tools (classifications, subject heading lists and thesauri) now demonstrate features of facet analysis to a greater or lesser degree. A faceted approach is frequently taken to the presentation of product information on commercial web sites, and there is an independent strand of theory and documentation related to this application. There is some significant research on semi‐automatic indexing and retrieval (query expansion and query formulation) using facet analytical techniques.

This article provides an overview of an important conceptual approach to information retrieval, and compares different understandings and applications of this methodology.

My contact with Herbert Coblans was limited, alas, to our shared concerns in the field of subject indication. He first sought me out in the early 1960s, ostensibly to find out about the indexing methodology of British Technology Index, then with its birth agonies not too far behind it, but more probably to give moral support. From such a quarter this meant a great deal. I had, for some reason, expected to find him a mechanizing man, to whom I would be required to hand over copious rudimentary enlightenment on subject indication questions, but this was quite wrong. It was I who soon found myself on the receiving end of the enlightenment process.

This paper aims to provide an overview of principles and procedures involved in creating a faceted classification scheme for use in resource discovery in an online environment.

Facet analysis provides an established rigorous methodology for the conceptual organization of a subject field, and the structuring of an associated classification or controlled vocabulary. This paper explains how that methodology was applied to the humanities in the FATKS project, where the objective was to explore the potential of facet analytical theory for creating a controlled vocabulary for the humanities, and to establish the requirements of a faceted classification appropriate to an online environment. A detailed faceted vocabulary was developed for two areas of the humanities within a broader facet framework for the whole of knowledge. Research issues included how to create a data model which made the faceted structure explicit and machine‐readable and provided for its further development and use.

In order to support easy facet combination in indexing, and facet searching and browsing on the interface, faceted classification requires a formalized data structure and an appropriate tool for its management. The conceptual framework of a faceted system proper can be applied satisfactorily to humanities, and fully integrated within a vocabulary management system.

The procedures described in this paper are concerned only with the structuring of the classification, and do not extend to indexing, retrieval and application issues.

Many stakeholders in the domain of resource discovery consider developing their own classification system and supporting tools. The methods described in this paper may clarify the process of building a faceted classification and may provide some useful ideas with respect to the vocabulary maintenance tool.

As far as the authors are aware there is no comparable research in this area.

Before starting to trace the development of PRECIS to its theoretical beginnings I shall describe the system briefly in its present form. This will serve not only as an introduction for those who are not familiar with the system, but will also help to explain the relevance of some of the historical sections which follow, in which we shall see how a machine‐produced alphabetical indexing system, based on a syntax derived from a study of natural language, developed out of research into principles for a new general classification.