Calculated features are features whose observations are created by the execution of a defined calculation algorithm.  A calculation algorithm is based on features (or other calculated features), their observations and user defined calculation settings. Optionally a calculated feature can also copy parts of its feature data from another feature.

Calculated features behave mostly like regular features (= non calculated features) with following differences:

•The observation data of calculated features cannot be modified, no new observations can be added and no observations can be deleted. However it is possible to convert a calculated to a regular feature.

•Calculated features do not validate observation data.

As regular features, calculated features are always of a specific feature type that is defined when the calculated feature is created. Calculated features can be of any feature type class.  Calculated feature of class group, absolute platform, relative platform and network can have member features but again only the observations of the calculated feature itself will be calculated.

The execution of a calculated feature i.e. the generation of observations for that calculated feature and the optional copying of feature data, is not triggered when the data is queried from the Application Server but at specific points in time or on request of a user. Therefore the data in a calculated feature might not reflect the latest changes in the data of the source features used in the calculation algorithm.

Defining a calculated feature builds up a relation between source features used in the calculated feature's algorithm and the calculated feature itself. These relations are updated whenever the algorithm is modified.