UDC stands for Universal Decimal Classification. It is a system of organizing and classifying knowledge in various fields, such as science, technology, humanities, and social sciences. The UDC system is designed to facilitate the arrangement and retrieval of information in libraries, documentation centers, and other information management environments. It provides a consistent and standardized way of organizing subjects and topics, allowing for efficient searching and locating of relevant materials.
The UDC system assigns a unique number to each subject or topic, based on a hierarchical structure. It is based on decimal notation, where numbers are divided into ten main classes, further subdivided into progressively more specific subclasses. Each number has meaning and significance, indicating the subject and its relationship to other subjects within the classification scheme.
UDC is widely used internationally and has been translated into more than 30 languages. It is a comprehensive system that covers a wide range of fields and subjects, including natural and social sciences, technology, arts, literature, history, and more. It provides a flexible and expandable framework to accommodate new knowledge and emerging fields.
The UDC system is regularly updated and maintained by the UDC Consortium, which consists of various national agencies, libraries, and information organizations. It is a valuable tool for organizing and accessing information, promoting knowledge sharing, and supporting research and education.
