Date: Wed, 26 Dec 2001 17:01:49 -0500
From: David Goodman <dgoodman@PRINCETON.EDU>
Subject: Re: CODENs  (summary of responses)

> 2 messages:
>
> 1)______
>
> Date: Thu, 20 Dec 2001 15:59:38 -0500 (EST)
> From: BCohen7719@aol.com
> Subject: Re: CODENs (2 messages)
>
> Cindy:
>
> I am so very surprised!   Thank you very, very much, Cindy!    We'll write
> away to the Society and see what their current information package
> provides.
>
To summarize and simplify the situation:

1. No non-science publisher uses Codens
2. Most science publishers do, at least in the US.
3. Functionally, they have been superseded by ISSN's
3a. Some think that ISSN's are becoming functionally obsolete also, and
will soon
be replaced by DOIs
4. However, a number of organizations still use Codens in their internal
processing, and in particular as key fields for their databases. (They
do this because they were there first, before ISSNs.) If they no longer
existed, they would have to assign them privately or rewrite their
databases, two very unattractive options.
5. My personal advice is to consider them optional. I see no reason for
a publication without one to go to the trouble of getting one.
6. If they are wanted for a new publication, they can be obtained by
anyone, not just the publisher, for a fee of $21 from

International CODEN Service
2540 Olentangy River Road
P.O. Box 3012
Columbus, Ohio 43210-0012
E-MAIL: CODEN@cas.org
Phone:  (614) 447-3600 x3163