Editing Part number (section)

==Significant versus non-significant part numbers==
In general, there are two types of part numbering systems: significant (a.k.a. "intelligent") and non-significant (a.k.a. "non-intelligent"). 
* In a significant part numbering system, the part numbers are assigned intelligently, according to an [[code|encoding system]], and thus they give an indication of salient characteristics of the component. For example, a screw may have the part number "HSC0424PP"; in this case, the letters indicate characteristics of the component:
**H = "Hardware"
**S = "Machine Screw"
**C0424 = "4-40, 3/4" long"
**PP = "Panhead Phillips"
* In a non-significant part numbering system, part numbers are assigned in some other fashion, such as sequentially or arbitrarily. For example, a screw may have the part number "1002", which may not tell the user anything about its thread size, shank length, or [[List of screw drives|drive type]].

In a company, significant numbering systems help identify an item from its code rather than from a long description. However, variations can arise when codes are used by other companies, which may be your distributors, and can cause confusion.

Non-significant part numbers are easier to assign and manage. They can still have some structure, such as a numeric category followed by a sequential number. Eg: 231-1002 (2=Hardware 3=Screw 1=Phillips, 1002 = sequential number). This enables more efficient data entry, using a [[keypad]], which normally includes digits and dashes, and is operated one-handed, leaving the other hand free.  Other benefits: people find numbers easier{{Citation needed|date=April 2024}}; in a warehouse, one can store products in numeric order (for example, in an aisle, numbers can increase from one end to the other).