Lists versus classifications

The Classification and List data types are similar: both allow someone to select a single item from multiple possibilities. To help you decide which data type is the better choice for a particular field, we have provided this description of the differences between the data types.

• Lists are usually a static set of choices. In general, the set of choices presented by a list is determined in advance and is not normally changed by an application. (The exception is a dynamic list that is dynamically generated from the contents of records, as described in "List creation".) Classifications can be a dynamic set of choices that reflect data the application can control.
• Lists are easier to set up and are a good choice to represent single options that will never change. Classifications are harder to set up but, being record data, support future changes better.
• Classifications make it easy to organize kinds of things into a hierarchy. Some hierarchical organization is possible with dependent lists. However, managing hierarchies with more than three levels is not practical to do with dependent lists.
• Classifications may be used to identify live records. Lists are simply names.
• Classifications can have data associated with them that can be used to influence the outcome of a computation. This relationship between a selected classification and the outcome of a computation can be indirect. Because a List is just a selection of text strings, a choice of a list value can only have a direct relationship to the outcome of a computation.

It is not possible to make a blanket statement that Classifications are better than Lists or that Lists are better than Classifications. The better choice depends on the application and the field. Be sure to consider all of the pros and cons before deciding.