Types and functions of documents. The main functions of the document. Legal function of the document

Human activity at all times was a system process aimed at achieving certain goals. At the same time, human activity differs significantly from animal activity. The behavior of our smaller brothers in most cases is coordinated only by instincts. In turn, a person works on the basis of consciousness, by processing information. Over time, human thinking has undergone a change. This significantly affected the ways and methods of processing, fixing information. In these aspects, a large amount of formalism appeared.

In addition, a significant contribution to the mechanism of human work with information has contributed to the development of the state system and, of course, the law. All presented factors led to the fact that one of the main sources of information fixation and its display were documents. Many people mistakenly believe that documents are only written sources of any statements. This is far from the case, because the presented way of fixing information has a wider meaning, as well as a larger system of functions, which will be discussed later in the article.

General concept of the document

Many terms exist today in doctrinal judgments and legislation. This duality is a positive factor, as it allows us to derive the most accurate and competent concepts. As for the document, its meaning also exists in several variations. The simplest doctrinal version suggests that a document is a material object of reality, in which a certain kind of information is contained. That is, the term characterizes the bearer of any statements. But there are also other ways of treating the concept.

Legislative wording

The meaning of the document in the provisions of the current legislation is broader. According to this term, a carrier of information of any kind having the requisite details and intended for reproduction and transmission of certain statements is characterized.

As we see, the wording of this kind significantly expands the understanding of the document. Because it provides a description of the necessary elements of such a carrier of information, which allow us to consider it as such.

The main features of documents

Taking into account all the concepts presented above, it is possible to derive key features of information carriers. At the same time, it should be noted that the key features come from the legislative interpretation of the category presented in the article, since it is the main one because of the exceptional legal significance. Thus, the main features of the document include the following:

• Material form;
• The ability to fix information of any kind (sound, speech, visual, etc.);
• Presence of a certain author;
• Presence of obligatory elements of registration (requisites);
• Legal significance.

Thus, the document is an important part of human life. Therefore, the category is divided into a large number of species, and also has a number of important functions.

What are the functions of the document?

Almost all existing objects, phenomena, scientific categories are used in some way. That is, their very creation was realized for something. Documents in this case are no exception. In the everyday life of each person, they play a fairly significant role. Thus, the functions of a document are the target or actual purpose of a category, which is its integral characteristic, regardless of the will of the author's will. It should be noted that each document is multifunctional in its essence. This indicates that the category is used in various branches of human life.

The main functions of the document can be divided into several blocks. In the first, target assignments are assigned, which are assigned to the categories of any of the existing industries, that is, absolutely all sources of information. This block is called "general document functions". There are also a number of special purpose assignments that are inherent in documents only in the context of certain factors. It is also necessary to note the exceptional importance of branch functions. Such, for example, are the functions of legal documents.

General Purpose Block

As a rule, scientists distinguish three classical functions performed by documents of all types and types. These appointments show a common goal, for the sake of implementation of which the category presented in the article was withdrawn.

• The information function of the document is key. It is this that determines the need for the existence of a category for storing, transferring and reproducing information of a different type.
• The social function of the document emphasizes its exceptional importance for society. In other words, the category not only coordinates social relations, but also generates new ones. Thus, the document occupies an important place in society and state activity.
• Communicative function indicates that the document is a kind of example of human interaction. With its help, there is an accelerated exchange of information of any type.

There are also other, more narrow in its specificity, the direction of the category. Such are the functions of the document in management, organization, culture and jurisprudence.

Functions of special documents

So, we examined the basic functions of the documents of the general block. But there are also a number of other category assignments that do not always manifest themselves. Their existence is conditioned by certain legal facts. Special functions of the document have six main directions in their system.

• The most common is the management function. Its existence stipulates the fact that a document is one of the means or methods of management or the coordination of a specific activity. The carriers of information in this context have the form of orders.
• The organizational function of the document indicates that the category is capable of establishing and ordering the concrete actions of all participants of legal relations, without exception.
• The general cultural function shows the exceptional importance of the category for society. Because the documents are preserved, and then a lot of cultural positions, norms, rituals, rituals, etc. are transferred.
• Similar to the cultural is the historical function. It allows you to transfer the information about the present to all future generations.
• The legal function of a document is the ability of a category to be a source of law. But this thesis is not applicable to all existing information carriers. Because the legal function of the document is inherent only in normative acts.

Thus, the presented functions are implemented by many modern documents. An exception are the target areas that characterize special types of documents.

Classification of media

Types and functions of documents are key aspects that need to be considered in the process of studying the category. We have already considered the purpose of the carriers of information, so we can pay attention to their classification. It should be noted that the whole array of documents can be divided into many groups, based on completely different factors. Thus, today the classification is based on the following points:

• The origin of the information carrier;
• The number of moments developed in it;
• Degree of limited familiarity;
• Way of direct documentation.

The presented groups are the main ones. Therefore, for a more detailed development of the classification category mentioned in the article, one must analyze it separately.

Factor of origin

As we understand, not every paper with inscriptions is a document. To acquire your status, the document passes the procedure of creation and certification by authorized persons. Thus the information carrier should contain obligatory requisites. However, the document may well come directly from the person. Therefore, carriers according to this classification are divided into personal and official. The first of them appear in the process of normal life activity. Official documents are issued by authorized entities. To similar it is possible to carry legally significant carriers. At the same time, the functions of normative documents will be conditioned by both the general doctrine and the current legal framework.

Types according to the number of questions analyzed

If the document has an algorithm for solving any one situation, then it is simple. That is, there will be no unique legal consequences in this case. However, if the document addresses several issues, then it is complex. As a rule, such information carriers are found in official activity and are issued in the form of orders, protocols, resolutions, etc.

Classification by the method of documentation

An important factor is the way the document is created. As it was mentioned earlier, in most cases a document written on a paper sheet is recognized as a document, endowed with certain requisites. But in theory one can find such an institution as the functions of an electronic document. In this case, the question arises of what a similar information carrier is.

It should be noted that the electronic document is not the only kind. To date, there are text, handwritten, typewritten, photo documents, video documents, etc. This list is not exhaustive, because new types of carriers appear due to the evolution of human relations.

Degree of limited access

There are documents, the information inside of which is limited for any important reasons. Therefore, in the Russian Federation gradation of degrees of secrecy is created. Each level tightens the admission criteria for familiarization with the document. Thus, the following types of such media are distinguished:

• Secret;
• for administrative use.

Conclusion

So, we tried to consider the kinds, as well as the basic functions of the document. It is worth noting that soon the type of such carriers of information and the very principle of their use will change significantly, because humanity is relentlessly moving forward in its progress.