031 $a, b, c validation

[jenniferward]

RISM beginners sometimes have trouble with the incipit numbers (031 $a-c). They might put all the numbers in $a (such as 1.1.1 or variations thereof) or maybe fill out only two of the three fields.

However, when entering incipits, $a, $b, and $c must be filled out. I'd say that whenever any of the subfields in the 031 block are filled out, then $a-c are required.

$a-c can only be numbers. $a should ideally be only "1" but there may be exceptions.

I'd like to suggest:

• A warning if the value in $a is something other than a "1". Can it say "The first incipit number should not be a number other than 1"?
• An error if $a-c are not digits: this should be marked as an error and you can't save
• An error if (1) 031 $d-z are filled out and (2) $a, b, or c are missing: it should not be possible to save if this is the case!
• There should never be two instances of identical $a, b, c in one record (i.e., not $a1 $b1 $c1 in one incipit and $a1 $b1 $c1 in a different incipit in the same record), but that is not as important.

[jenniferward]

Related to this: Catalogers should receive a warning if they skip an incipit (1.10.1 then 1.12.1, or 1.10.1 then 1.11.2) or if the incipits are not in a logical order (1.2.1, 1.1.1).

I think a bigger pattern is catalogers seem to loose their place in the sea of incipits if they are entering a lot of them. The block is really large and there is a lot of scrolling. Maybe display the incipit numbering when the incipit is collapsed, or offer a list of the numbering somewhere so people see the hierarchy?