Multiple Classification

Purpose

You can assign objects either to one class or to several classes. Classifying an object in more than one class is known as multiple classification.

Classification in Different Class Types

If you classify an object in classes of different class types, there is no link between the characteristic values assigned in the different classes. This means that, in two classes with different class types, you can assign completely different values to the same characteristic for the same object.

Multiple Classification in One Class Type

If you classify an object in several classes of the same class type, you can use various paths to search for the object later. You can use either of the classes in the graphic below to find the object.

• Before you can classify objects in several classes of the same class type, you need to set the multiple classification indicator in Customizing for Classification for the class type.

• If an object is classified in several classes of the same class type, the object inherits all characteristics of all the classes in which it is classified. You see the characteristics of all the other classes in which the object is classified, as well as the characteristics of the class you started with.

• In one class type, you can only assign one value or set of values to any one characteristic for an object. You cannot assign different values to a characteristic in different classes of the same class type. If you enter 4 as the length of a bolt, this is a central property of the bolt, which is the same in every class (see also Inconsistencies in Multiple Classification ).

The graphic below shows an object that can be found in two different classes.