carrier extent RiC-A04

Definition

Number of physical units and/or physical dimensions of the carrier of an Instantiation. In order to manage an Instantiation of a record resource it is necessary to note the extent of the carrier as well as that of the Instantiation itself. Whether it is necessary to note dimensions, the number of relevant units, or both, depends on the nature of the carrier and particular business needs.

Scope notes

For digital resources, it may be used to indicate the size of storage capacity (disk, tape, film, etc.). Carrier extent should not be confused with instantiation extent or record resource extent. For a given Record Resource, the instantiation extent may vary, based on format, density of information on the carrier, etc. For example, a CD with a storage capacity of 700 MB (carrier extent) might hold a record of 1500 words (record resource extent) represented in two versions, one a Word document with an instantiation extent of 3 KB and the other a PDF file with an instantiation extent of 5 KB.

Declared on

• Instantiation RiC-E06

Examples

• 1 page
• 3 GB (1 USB key)
• 32.5 x 49 cm (piece of parchment)