Lexicons are an application concept where a finite list of values is presented to the user in translatable language, for control over data entry. Lexicons, defined in IMLN, come in three styles:
- Fixed lexicons - where the list of values available are controlled by the application
- User Defined lexicons - where the list of values is configured by the user (and may have a starter set provided)
- User Created lexicons - 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.
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
