Monocode or Hierarchical Code

The structure of these codes is as a tree in which each of symbols is qualified by the preceding characters. Given figure depicts the monocode generation scheme. The first digit (from 0 to 9) divides the set of parts into major groups such like machined parts, purchased parts, sheet metal parts, and raw materials, and so on. The second subsequent digits further partition the set into subgroups for each of these groups. For instance, the second digit partitions the machined parts into rotational (0) and nonrotational (1) parts. Let a code 100 in Figure.

This represents a machined rotational part with a length to diameter ratio of less than 0.5. The digit 1 in the first place of code has different meaning and different information. Thus, the digits in a monocode may not be interpreted independently; the interpretation based on the information contained in the preceding symbol.

Figure: Example of Monocode