First, you should decide whether your users need a predefined list of values from which to choose, or whether they can enter any value that fits the value set formatting conditions. If you want to provide a list of values, you choose from independent, dependent, translatable independent, translatable dependent, or table value sets. If you do not want a list, use a non-validated (None) value set.

Once you have chosen to provide a list of values for a segment, you choose whether to use independent, dependent, translatable independent, or translatable dependent or table validation. You would only use a dependent set if you want your segment values to depend upon the value chosen in a prior independent segment (a segment that uses an independent value set). You would only use a translatable dependent set if you want your segment values to depend upon the value chosen in a prior translatable independent segment (a segment that uses a translatable independent value set). Whether you use an independent or table set depends on where you intend to get your values. If you already have suitable values in an existing table, you should choose a table set. If you were to use an independent set and you already maintain those values in an application table, you would need to perform double maintenance on your values. For example, if you need to disable an invalid value, you would need to disable it in both the Segment Values window (for your value set) and in your application form that maintains your existing table (for use by your application). If you do not already have a suitable table, you should probably use an independent set and maintain your values using the Segment Values window.

The following table lists each value set type, whether it uses a list of values, and where these values, if any, are stored.