Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!swrinde!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!ncar!hsdndev!cmcl2!kramden.acf.nyu.edu!brnstnd
From: brnstnd@kramden.acf.nyu.edu (Dan Bernstein)
Newsgroups: comp.archives.admin
Subject: Re: building an interstate (data) highway with no roadmaps
Message-ID: <11900.Jun2322.59.2491@kramden.acf.nyu.edu>
Date: 23 Jun 91 22:59:24 GMT
References: <EACHUS.91Jun18164709@largo.mitre.org> <2013@uqcspe.cs.uq.oz.au> <89gs5jr@Unify.Com>
Organization: IR
Lines: 17
X-Ftp-Mentioned: e-math.ams.com(130.44.1.100):mathrev/asciiclass.new 300375

I think the Mathematics Subject Classification model would apply quite
well to archived files (and netnews!). A central authority defines a
three-level hierarchy of codes, each covering some subject area; in the
MSC, for instance, 11 is number theory, 11J is approximation, and 11J70
is continued fraction approximation. Every article published is given
(by the author) a primary five-digit code and any number of secondary
five-digit codes. Mathematical Reviews then lists articles by code.
Anyone who doesn't find his subject listed can use a ``None of the
above but in this section'' classification, then ask the AMS to add that
subject in the next MSC revision.

Of course, the MSC (which is available for anonymous ftp on
e-math.ams.com as mathrev/asciiclass.new) wouldn't apply directly to
software; we'd have to draft a whole new set of categories. But the
model will work.

---Dan