Lexicons are an application [concept|CONCEPTS (EP)] where a finite list of values is presented to the user in [translatable|TRANSLATABLE] language, for control over data entry.  Lexicons, defined in [IMLN], come in three styles:

* [Fixed lexicons|FIXED LEXICON] - where the list of values available are controlled by the application
* [Partially fixed lexicons|PARTIALLY FIXED LEXICON] - where some of the values are provided and "fixed" but the rest may be user defined.
* [User Defined lexicons|USER DEFINED LEXICON] - where the list of values is configured by the user (and may have a starter set provided)
* [User Created lexicons|USER CREATED LEXICON] - where the lexicon itself, and the values for it are entirely user defined.

The basic premise behind a lexicon is that there is a value in the data base (the saved value) which is what any programming or application logic looks for.  There is also a value presented to the user (the displayed value) which allows for a more descriptive meaning to be associated to that code, and also allows for translation into other languages or even into corporate lingo.

!Domain
LEXICON is also an [EPERSONALITY DOMAIN] with the following characteristics:
* Stored in the data base as a character field of varying length
* Presented to the user as a drop down list of values to choose from
* The actual domain name is the lexicon name (such as [X_GENDER] which identifies the drop down list to show the user