Value set
The Panel offers the list of all Value Sets of the Project, sorted alphabetically and indicating whether they are in-project Value Sets (plain colored icons) or references from a Building Block Repository BBR (chain symbol).
Concept Lists (Compositions)
Once a value set is chosen from the Navigation Tree, the right card shows the details of the Value Set (metadata) including the Concept List.
Concept Lists are composition of a concrete set of codes (extensional Value Set, like in the example above) or contain instructions basically of inclusion and exclusion of codes (intensional Value Sets), that are typically drawn from a hierarchical code system. Intensional Value Set definitions are not expanded but shown as the definition itself, e.g. Include.
The example above is a small intensional Value Set that includes a single SNOMED-CT code with the instruction to expand this on demand to all codes hierarchically under this code. The expansion is done on demand at "runtime" and leads to an Expansion Set. Intensional Value Set definitions are not expanded by default but shown as the definition itself, e.g. Include.
Mixes of concrete lists of codes and instruction are also possible.
Value Set Authoring
A Project Author in ART-DECOR can create new Value Set and modify or clone already existing ones.
Creating and editing a Value Set
Extensional Value Sets
Editors of a project may create new Value Sets through the Value Set form or clone an existing Value Set. By chosing ADD from the Panel menu you can add a new Value Set or clone an existing Value Set.
The Terminology Browser is not only used for browsing. For the purpose of creating or editing Value Sets, the author is redirected from the Terminology Panel to the Terminology Browser. In addition to the serach field (and possible search results), the existing Composition is shown at the bottom. You may need to scroll on larger search result lists to see the Composition Card. When adding a new Value Set the Compsition is initialy empty, of course.
The Value Set Composition can be completed by adding terms that have been found, or by adding single coded items. When adding an item to the Value Set Composition, the author get the opportunity to add new codes from his search, or individual codes, and edit the Value Set Composition.
Intensional Value Sets
This example shows the inclusion of an intensional Value Set definition from SNOMED-CT, specifying all descendents of code entered code.

Please also note, that editing a code of a composition also offers a variety of other options, including entering
- Perferred Terms
- Synonyms
- Abbreviations
- Fully Specified Names and
- Descriptions.
The intensional operators typically are is-a (the specified code and all children codes, see the left part of the following figure), or decendent-of, which means the children only. The following figure illustrates these two options.

Next to inclusion also exclusion is possible which makes sense of a part of an already included tree shall not be part of the expansion. One can inlcude complete Code Systems or Value Sets from the project. This example shows the inclusion of an intensional Value Set definition, specifying to include a whole Value Set from the project. The reference to a Code System or a Value Set used in intensional expressions can be done dynamically (always the most recent version), or fixed for a specific version.
You can expand intensional value sets if they are CADTS aware. If so, the Composition in the Value Set Panel shows the Expansion Set button.

Clicking on the button opens a dialog that first presents the count of items in the Expansion Set. This is usually quick, e. g. 300,000 codes counting members of the Expansion Set takes around 2-3 seconds.

The Expansion Set can also be inspected, showing only 100 codes. Later releases will allow to store Expansion Sets.

Please note that if an intensional definition contains a construct that has inactive codes this might lead to wrong counts or expansion sets. It is indicated if detected as follows.

Cloning a Value Set
The Panel menu also offers the option to clone an exsting Value Set, e.g. for versioning purposes. After you choose the clone option a dialog opens. In the Value Set bar you can search and select the Value Set you want to clone.
Keep ID's
The 'Keep IDs' switch is active by default. A new version of the Value Set will be created. The generated Value Set has the same ID. Effective date will be set to 'now'.
Cloning a Value Set with the switch deactivated will generate a Value Set with a new id (based on the base id for Value Sets). Name, display name and other Meta Data can be edited afterwards.