I need the name of a reference that details how proper descriptions or
names are created for electronic parts (or any kind of part) that
assure some sort of consistency of form and content for a computer
database. I have heard of rules like ?most significant noun and
modifier? that are said to be used by the DoD and others to ensure
this consistency and uniformity but cannot find any written references
or rules.

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Request for Question Clarification by pafalafa-ga on 15 Mar 2004 14:29 PST

I believe the concept you are referring to is known as "enterprise
architecture".  This is a very big deal in the federal government (and
in the private sector, as well) as evidenced by this government site
devoted to EA at the Dept. of Defense and all other federal agencies:

http://feapmo.gov/

In particular, there are three primary "reference models" for business
(the BRM), performance (the PRM), the technical (TRM), and data entry
and management (DRM).

I'm not sure which (if any of these) would best meet your needs.  But
as a for instance, have a look at some of the info on the TRM:

http://feapmo.gov/feaTrm2.asp

and let me know if this looks like what you're after (warning -- it's
dense going!).

Looking forward to hearing back from you.

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Clarification of Question by sheph7-ga on 16 Mar 2004 09:00 PST

thanks pafalafa, 
The stuff you found seems unrelated to what I am looking for. I am
looking for a reference on how to write descriptions for computer
database fields to ensure their consistency. It seems it would be
taxonomy like thing similar to biology?s genus-species way of
describing flora and fauna. In my particular case I am looking for
rules for electronic parts. For example would a resistor used in
electronic circuits be described as a ?10 meg ohm, metal-film, surface
mount, resistor ? or  ?resistor MF 10M SMT? ? Somewhere there must be
a reference for rules regarding creation of descriptions for databases
so sorts and other data mining can be more easily accomplished.

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Request for Question Clarification by pafalafa-ga on 17 Mar 2004 18:07 PST

Hello again,

OK...now I understand you a bit better, but I'm still not clear on how
to answer your question.

It sounds like you're looking for a "data dictionary" for electronics
parts.  Such things exist (or at least, are coming into being) but:

--involve enormous international collaborations between manufacturers,
suppliers, and end-users, and

--are complex, like you wouldn't believe!

For instance, have a look at the International Electrotechnical Commission's 
"Component Data Dictionary" at:


http://dom2.iec.ch/iec61360



After reading the front matter, click on the Browse button and have a
look around.

Is *this* the type of thing you're talking about...or am I still way off base?

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Clarification of Question by sheph7-ga on 22 Mar 2004 13:38 PST

Thanks. They are using some sort of taxonomy. However, what I am
looking for is a reference on the rules, or how to establish the
rules, for creating these taxonomies or descriptions. For example when
formally describing an electronic component like a capacitor for your
computer database would you describe a ?10 volt, electrolytic? or an
?electrolytic, 10 volt? which descriptive element is first? At this
point I am in the process of creating my own rules but can?t believe
that there doesn?t exist some generalized rules that I could follow
and greatly simplify my task.

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Clarification of Question by sheph7-ga on 23 Mar 2004 05:50 PST

hello maniac,
Yep, that is what I am doing now. It is just that this problem has
been around for soooooo long that I can? believe that someone hasn?t
written general rules and guidelines to make the task a bit easier.
From seeing descriptions of U.S. defense department related goods it
is obvious they have some sort or rules for descriptions. I was once
told that these kinds of rules do exist but now I am thinking they are
probably internal corporate procedure kind of things.

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Request for Question Clarification by pafalafa-ga on 23 Mar 2004 06:27 PST

Have a look at this link:

http://www.i2content.com/pdf/i2_Edb4.pdf

I think this is what you're after, isn't it...?

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Request for Question Clarification by wonko-ga on 07 Apr 2004 16:50 PDT

Please check out the dictionaries and other information available at
RosettaNet.org and let me know if you have found your answer there.  I
believe they have tackled your problem.

Sincerely,

Wonko

http://www.rosettanet.org/rosettanet/Rooms/DisplayPages/LayoutInitial?container=com.webridge.entity.Entity[OID[5F6606C8AD2BD411841F00C04F689339]]

Hello Sheph7,

Hmm. There does not seem to be any specific naming convention adopted
at this point but some electronic business needs (e.g., ebXML) might
drive companies to that at some point.

In the meantime and based on your latest clarification, it may be
better to "build a name" based on the attributes of the part. So you
have a taxonomy with the major part types first
 - capacitor
 - resistor
 - diode
and so on. Then have attributes such as:
 - maximum voltage (or current as appropriate)
 - variety of device - varies by major part type (e.g., electrolytic,
paper, ... for capacitors)
 - value (e.g., in ohms for resistors, in farads for capacitors)
and so on.

Then you could 'generate' or 'interpret' the names based on user preference.

  --Maniac