Enclosure (1) to COMDTINST 5230.42A
that our data requirements are relatively stable; most of the Prime Words already exist in the names
of data elements in data systems already developed. Commandant (G-SIA) shall request a
preliminary list of Prime Words from the Coast Guard's network of IRM personnel for entry into
the CG DADS. This preliminary list shall be continually reviewed and updated.
The following are examples of Prime Words:
AGENCY
AIRPORT
BIRTH
CARGO
COMMAND
COUNTRY
CUTTER
DELIVERY
DESTINATION
EQUIPMENT
MESSAGE
MISSION
PERSON
PRODUCT
REPORT
REQUEST
TARGET
UNIT
VESSEL
WEATHER
An official Prime Word list, to be used in constructing CG data element names, shall be
developed, maintained and centrally controlled by Commandant (G-SIA).
2.2.3 Tests for Prime Words: To aid in identifying Prime Words, the following questions can
be asked:
What is being described?
To what does the Class Word (and its modifiers) apply?
For example: ADMINISTRATIVE UNIT IDENTIFIER
The primary object is "ADMINISTRATIVE UNIT". The word "IDENTIFIER" describes
the type of information being maintained.
To help determine the Prime Word in this example, ask: CLASS WORD OF WHAT?
IDENTIFIER OF WHAT?
For the above example, the answer is: IDENTIFIER OF A UNIT.
ADMINISTRATIVE UNIT IDENTIFIER
(Mod
/Prime/Class
)
2.3
Modifiers and Qualifiers
2.3.1 Definitions: A Modifier gives additional information about the Class or Prime Word.
Modifiers may be adjectives or nouns. A Qualifier is a special kind of Modifier that is used with a
Class Word to further describe a characteristic of the Class Word within a domain of values or type
of information which can be attached to an object. Examples of qualifiers include specific units of
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