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.

Domain#

• 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