# Getting Started with Computed Files

Source: https://userguide.qualytics.io/container/computed-files/getting-started/

Computed Files are Spark SQL-defined virtual containers built on top of the base file patterns of a DFS source datastore (Amazon S3, Google Cloud Storage, or Azure Data Lake Storage). You write a single Spark SQL query; Qualytics stores the definition and runs it whenever the container is scanned or profiled. The result behaves like any other container: you can profile it, add quality checks, and detect anomalies.

Use Computed Files to prepare data (clean, shape, restructure), run complex calculations, subset data with a `WHERE` clause, or join file patterns inside the same DFS datastore.

![Add Computed File modal with fields for Name, Source File, Select Expression, and additional clauses](https://userguide.qualytics.io/assets/container/computed-files/getting-started/add-computed-file-modal.png)

> **Info: Permissions**
>
> You need the **Member** user role and one of the following on the parent datastore to add, edit, or delete a Computed File: the **Editor** team permission, or the **Author** team permission when you are (or will be) the owner of the Computed File. Viewing one requires the **Reporter** team permission (or above) on the datastore. See the [Permissions](https://userguide.qualytics.io/settings/access/teams/team-permissions/overview/) page for the full matrix.

## Deep Dive

- **Introduction**

  What a Computed File is, when to reach for one, and how it differs from a Computed Table.

  [Introduction](https://userguide.qualytics.io/container/computed-files/deep-dive/introduction/)
- **How It Works**

  Execution model, validation semantics, and the query editor for Spark SQL over DFS file patterns.

  [How It Works](https://userguide.qualytics.io/container/computed-files/deep-dive/how-it-works/)
- **Computed File vs Computed Table**

  Side-by-side comparison: when to reach for a Computed File over a Computed Table, and where each one shines.

  [Computed File vs Computed Table](https://userguide.qualytics.io/container/computed-files/deep-dive/computed-file-vs-computed-table/)
- **Referencing**

  What a Computed File can reference, workarounds for chained transformations, and composing Computed Files into a Computed Join.

  [Referencing](https://userguide.qualytics.io/container/computed-files/deep-dive/referencing/)
- **Lifecycle**

  Profile-on-create, volumetric and freshness tracking, edit re-profiling, history diff, delete cascades, and notifications.

  [Lifecycle](https://userguide.qualytics.io/container/computed-files/deep-dive/lifecycle/)
- **Cost and Performance**

  Where the cost of a Computed File lives and how to keep scans and profiles fast on large data.

  [Cost and Performance](https://userguide.qualytics.io/container/computed-files/deep-dive/cost-and-performance/)
- **Best Practices**

  A checklist for naming, query style, metadata, profiling, ownership, and sunsetting Computed Files.

  [Best Practices](https://userguide.qualytics.io/container/computed-files/deep-dive/best-practices/)
- **Permissions**

  Who can view, create, edit, delete, reassign, and run operations on a Computed File. Includes the Author-and-owner hybrid gate.

  [Permissions](https://userguide.qualytics.io/container/computed-files/deep-dive/permissions/)
- **Examples**

  Real-world Computed Files across JSON log parsing, IoT time-series rollup, array explosion, and event deduplication.

  [Examples](https://userguide.qualytics.io/container/computed-files/deep-dive/examples/)

---

## How-tos

- **Add a Computed File**

  Step-by-step walkthrough of the Add Computed File modal, from datastore selection to Save.

  [Add](https://userguide.qualytics.io/container/computed-files/how-tos/add/)
- **Edit a Computed File**

  Change the Spark SQL clauses, description, owner, or metadata of an existing Computed File.

  [Edit](https://userguide.qualytics.io/container/computed-files/how-tos/edit/)
- **Delete a Computed File**

  Remove a Computed File and understand its impact on quality checks, anomalies, and downstream operations.

  [Delete](https://userguide.qualytics.io/container/computed-files/how-tos/delete/)

---

## Reference

- **API**

  REST endpoints to add, edit, delete, and read Computed Files programmatically.

  [API](https://userguide.qualytics.io/container/computed-files/api/)
- **FAQ**

  Answers to common questions about Computed Files: references, joins, materialization, and file-format quirks.

  [FAQ](https://userguide.qualytics.io/container/computed-files/faq/)

*Last updated: September 19, 2026.*