| Index (publishing) |
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Information AboutIndex (publishing) |
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An ''index'' is a list of words and associated pointers to where those words can be found in a document. In a traditional back-of-the-book index the words (or phrases) are concepts selected by a person and the pointers are page numbers. In a library catalog the words are authors, titles, subject headings, etc., and the pointers are call numbers. Internet search engines, such as Google, are indexes too. The words are words found in HTML (or other documents), and the pointers are URL's. Indexes are designed to help the reader find information quickly and easily. A complete and truly useful index should not be simply a list of the words and phrases used in a publication (which is more properly called a Concordance ), but an organized map of its contents, including Cross-reference s, grouping of like concepts, and other useful intellectual analysis. Sample back-of-the-book index excerpt: :sage, 41-42. ''See also'' Herbs ← directing the reader to related terms :Scarlet Sages. ''See'' ''Salvia coccinea'' ← redirecting the reader to term used in the text :shade plants ← grouping term (may not appear in the text; may be generated by indexer) ::hosta, 93 ← subentries ::myrtle, 46 ::Solomon's seal, 14 :sunflower, 47 ← regular entry In books, indexes are usually placed near the end (this is commonly known as "BoB" or back-of-book indexing). They complement the Table Of Contents by enabling access to information by specific subject, whereas contents listings enable access through broad divisions of the text arranged in the order they occur. The indexing process usually begins with a reading of the text, during which the terms to be used are selected and sometimes marked (e.g. with a highlighter). The indexer then makes a second pass through the text during which he or she enters the terms into an index document, creating subentries where appropriate. The final task involves arranging the index document into alphabetical order and going through it grouping like terms, adding cross-references where appropriate, and editing to improve consistency, accuracy, and usefulness, and to ensure it follows publisher's guidelines. Indexing is usually done by freelancers hired by publishers or Book Packagers . There are several dedicated indexing software programs available which take care of the sorting and copying involved in index preparation. Increasing interest in the use of electronic documents has led to the development of Embedded Indexing , where index terms are inserted into appropriate places in one or more source documents using some kind of Markup Language . An accurate index can then be generated dynamically from the source document(s) at any time. This is a standard, yet little known, feature of many popular Word Processing Programs such as Microsoft Word , StarWriter , and WordPerfect . There are a number of sub-specialties in indexing, such as Web Indexing (the application of a back-of-book-style index to a Website or Intranet ), Search Engine Indexing , Database Indexing (the application of a pre-defined Controlled Vocabulary such as MeSH to articles for inclusion in a database), Periodical Indexing (indexing of newspapers, journals, magazines). Another style is KWIC (for Key Word In Context) indexing. Some indexers specialize in particular subject areas such as history, genealogy, or law. FURTHER READING
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