---
name: "lccnorm"
section: "1p"
platform: "linux"
package: "libbiblio-lcc-perl"
version: "0.09-2"
release: "Debian 13 (Trixie)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/lccnorm"
---

# lccnorm(1p)

normalize Library of Congress Classification call numbers

## NAME

lccnorm - normalize Library of Congress Classification call numbers

## SYNOPSIS

**lccnorm** \[*option*...\] \[*file*...\]

**lccnorm** **-h**\|**--help**

**lccnorm** **-V**\|**--version**

## DESCRIPTION

**lccnorm** transforms LC-style call numbers into a form that may be used in a straight ASCII sort.

By default, each line of input is assumed to consist of a number of tab-delimited fields, of which the first contains an LC-style call number or class.

If no file is specified, or if the file name `"-"` is specified, standard input will be processed.

Normalization of call number ranges is a special challenge, because ranges are not normally specified using the exact endpoint.  Consider the range `"B708-B713"`; while `"B708"` does indicate the beginning point -- a no call number that comes before B 708 can fall within the range -- the end point is only a guide, not a strict limit, since the intent is that call numbers such as `"B 713 .H94"` and `"B 713 .W55 L86"` **do** fall within the range.  Unfortunately, ranges are often specified ambiguously; for example, the call number `"B 713.14 G92"` might or might not be considered to fall within this range.

## OPTIONS

- **-d**, **--delimiter** *string*

  Specify a string other than a single tab (ASCII character 9) to delimit the fields in a line of input.  This also provides the default for joining fields in the output; see option **-j** below.

- **-f**, **--field** *range*

  The call number (or range) is found in the given range of fields.  Fields are 1-based (the first field is field 1, not field 0) and are separated by a single tab character (unless option **-d** is used to specify an alternate delimiter).

  When parsing call numbers (not ranges), all fields are concatenated using a single space to form the call number that will be normalized.

  When parsing ranges, there are four possibilities:

  - 1 field

    The field contains a range in the form *prefix* (e.g., `"J80"`), *closed* *range* (e.g., `"ML566-566.6"` or `"ML566-ML566.6"`) or *half-open range* (e.g., `"KME451<KME500"`).

  - 2 fields

    The first field is the beginning of the (closed) range, and the second is the end.

  - 3 fields

    The first field is a prefix common to both the beginning and end of the range, and the second and third fields are the remainders.

  - 4 fields

    The first and third fields together are the beginning of the range, and the second and fourth are the end.

  For example, the following all produce identical output:

  ```
      $ echo 'PL4501-4509'     | lccnorm -d: -f1
      $ echo 'PL4501:PL4509'   | lccnorm -d: -f1-2
      $ echo 'PL:4501:4509'    | lccnorm -d: -f1-3
      $ echo 'PL:4501:PL:4509' | lccnorm -d: -f1-4
  ```

- **-j**, **--join** *string*

  Specify a character to use when joining fields for output. The default is to use the same string specified in option **-d**, or a single tab if **-d** was not given.

- **-c**

  Don't delete the input fields from which call numbers (or ranges) were obtained. Either the **-b** and **-e** option must be provided to specify where the normalized  string is to be placed.

- **-b**, **--begin**

  Place normalized strings at the beginning of output lines.

- **-e**, **--end**

  Place normalized strings at the end of output lines.

- **-D**, **--die-on-error**

  Exit with a non-zero status as soon as an unnormalizable input is encountered. The default is to issue a warning and normalize to the empty string.

- **-v**, **--verbose**

  Be verbose.  This currently has no effect unless used with the **-V** or **--version** option.

- **-h**, **--help**

  Print help information and exit.

- **-V**, **--version**

  Print the version number and exit.  If the **-v** or **--verbose** option is specified, print out additional information.

- **-M**, **--manual**

  View the manual page for **lccnorm**.

- **-L**, **--license**

  View the license under which **lccnorm** is distributed.

## AUTHOR

Paul Hoffman (nkuitse AT nkuitse DOT com)

## COPYRIGHT

Copyright 2007 Paul M. Hoffman.

This module is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the same terms as Perl:

- a)

  the GNU General Public License as published by the Free Software Foundation; either version 1, or (at your option) any later version;

  **or**

- b)

  the "Artistic License".

  For the full text of these licenses, see the script file itself or enter the command **lccnorm -L**.

## SEE ALSO

Biblio::LCC