What is the best practice for executing a query that provides labels and values for Dropdown components?

Using the a!localVariables() function to execute a query that provides labels and values for Dropdown components is considered a best practice because it allows you to efficiently manage and structure your data within the local context of a specific user interface component. By utilizing a!localVariables(), you can define and execute the query in a controlled manner, ensuring that the variables holding the labels and values are scoped properly and easily accessible throughout the rest of the interface.

This approach also facilitates improved readability and maintainability of your code. By working within the confines of local variables, you minimize the risk of polluting the global namespace, which can lead to unintended side effects or conflicts in larger applications. Furthermore, it helps optimize performance by running only the necessary queries when the component loads, which is especially beneficial in cases where you are dealing with larger datasets or complex queries.

The other options do not provide the same level of efficiency and maintainability. For instance, making an external API call might lead to longer loading times, while using the query directly in the Dropdown component can reduce modularity and complicate your code. Encapsulating the query in an Expression Rule could work, but it is often more streamlined to use local variables for specific UI components, as this keeps your logic more