Jack,
As far as the J & P for connectors most people get this wrong and think its
a male/female thing.
The correct usage of J & P : J is the stationary half  and P is the moving
half. Where they both float the receptacle style should be the J or just
pick one. As far as male or female pins the Schematic symbol itself is where
that is defined;
 " --> "  is male and  " --<" is female.
Bob Wolfe
Inter-Tel Inc.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Jack Olson [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Monday, January 10, 2000 1:22 PM
> To:   [log in to unmask]
> Subject:      [DC] Reference Designators
>
> Something I overheard this morning got me wondering...
>
> Have any of you been around long enough to know why a diode would have a
> designator of CR? What does the CR mean?
>
> What does the U mean on an Integrated Circuit?
>
> Is the K on relays arbitrary since R is used by resistors?
>
> Does anyone really use P anymore for plugs?
> (everything I've seen lately is J on connectors, no matter if it is a
> socket
> or a plug)
>
> What do you use for submodules or subassemblies?
>
> Not really important, I was just curious....
>
> Jack