Information-code tables

The information code (IC) is the field of a Data Module Code (DMC) that says what kind of information a data module holds. It does not say what part of the product the module is about. The Standard Numbering System (SNS) does that. The IC answers a different question: is this a description, a removal procedure, a test, a repair, and so on.

The IC is three characters: a primary code, a secondary code, and a tertiary code. The primary code (the first digit) sorts every data module into one of a small number of families. The secondary and tertiary codes refine the meaning inside that family.

note

Read an information code from left to right, most general to most specific. In 520, the leading 5 marks the "disconnect, remove, disassemble" family. The 20 narrows it to a specific remove procedure. A trailing letter (the information code variant, for example the A in 520A) separates near-identical data modules, such as two alternative remove methods for the same item.

Primary information-code families

These eleven primary categories are defined by the S1000D specification. The first ten are the numeric 000-900 families. The eleventh, C00, covers software and computer data.

Primary code	Family	Covers
000	Function, plans and description	Descriptive information: what an item is, how it is built, how it works, and data for plans
100	Operation	How to operate the product or a system
200	Servicing	Routine servicing: replenish, lubricate, clean
300	Examinations, tests and checks	Inspections, functional tests, and operational checks
400	Fault reports and isolation	Fault reporting and fault-isolation (troubleshooting) procedures
500	Disconnect, remove and disassemble	Procedures to disconnect, remove, and disassemble
600	Repairs and locally make	Repair procedures and procedures to make an item locally
700	Assemble, install and connect	Procedures to assemble, install, and connect
800	Package, handling, storage, transport	Packaging, handling, storage, and transportation
900	Miscellaneous	Information that does not fit the other families
C00	Computer systems, software and data	Software and computer-system information

info

The 500 and 700 families are mirror images. The 500 family takes things apart (disconnect, remove, disassemble). The 700 family puts them back together (assemble, install, connect). A "remove the pump" data module sits in 500. The matching "install the pump" data module sits in 700.

Common specific codes (examples)

The secondary and tertiary digits refine the primary family. The codes below are illustrative examples drawn from the specification's standard set. A project may also add its own codes using letters in the tertiary position. Always check the IC against your project's BREX before you rely on it.

Information code	Meaning	Family
040	Description (general)	000 Description
041	Description of how a component is made	000 Description
042	Description of the function of a component	000 Description
200	Servicing (general)	200 Servicing
258	Other procedure to clean	200 Servicing
520	Remove procedure	500 Remove
720	Install procedure	700 Install

tip

A short way to read a full information code: 041 is "description (0) of how a component is made." 520 is "remove (5) procedure." 720 is "install (7) procedure." Once the primary digit is familiar, the rest reads quickly.

How the IC sits inside a DMC

The information code is one field among several in a Data Module Code. The following DMCs are examples from the s1kd-tools bike-data set. They show the information code field in context, between the disassembly code and the information code variant.

BIKE-DA0-00-00-00A-040A-D      # 040 = description data module
BIKE-DA0-20-00-00A-520A-A      # 520 = remove procedure
BIKE-A-DA1-10-00-00B-720A-D    # 720 = install procedure

In each code, the segment immediately before the final block is the information code plus its variant letter, for example 040A, 520A, 720A. Change that field and you change the kind of data module while keeping the same product location.

note

These DMCs are illustrative examples for teaching the field layout. Real project codes use that project's Model Identification Code and SNS, governed by the project's business rules.

Sources

• S1000D — Wikipedia — overview of the specification, data modules, and the Data Module Code.
• s1kd-tools tutorial — Information codes — worked examples of information codes (040, 520, 720) and full DMCs from the bike-data set.
• Information Control Numbers for S1000D Issue 4.0 or higher — RWS docs — reference list of standard information codes.