# Getting Started with Computed Tables

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

Computed Tables are SQL-defined virtual containers built on top of the base tables and views of a JDBC or native source datastore. You write a single SQL query, and 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 Tables to prepare data (clean, shape, restructure), run complex calculations, subset data with a `WHERE` clause, or join tables inside the same datastore. The query is written in the source's own dialect on JDBC datastores and in Spark SQL on native datastores.

![Add Computed Table modal with fields for Name, SQL Query, Description, and Additional Metadata](https://userguide.qualytics.io/assets/container/computed-tables/getting-started/add-computed-table-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 Table: the **Editor** team permission, or the **Author** team permission when you are (or will be) the owner of the Computed Table. 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 Table is, when to reach for one, and how it differs from a Computed File.

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

  Execution model, validation semantics, referencing rules, and the fully-qualified-name requirement for certain connectors.

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

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

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

  Configure scans to read only rows that changed since the last scan using a timestamp or batch-value field.

  [Incremental Scanning](https://userguide.qualytics.io/container/computed-tables/deep-dive/incremental-profiling/)
- **Cost and Performance**

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

  [Cost and Performance](https://userguide.qualytics.io/container/computed-tables/deep-dive/cost-and-performance/)
- **SQL Dialects per Connector**

  Connector-specific quirks and the fully-qualified-name list.

  [SQL Dialects](https://userguide.qualytics.io/container/computed-tables/deep-dive/sql-dialects/)
- **Best Practices**

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

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

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

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

  Real-world Computed Tables across e-commerce, finance, SaaS, and data engineering, with the SQL patterns that fit each scenario.

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

---

## How-tos

- **Add a Computed Table**

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

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

  Change the SQL query, description, owner, or metadata of an existing Computed Table.

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

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

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

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## Reference

- **API**

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

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

  Answers to common questions about Computed Tables: references, joins, materialization, and connector quirks.

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

*Last updated: November 9, 2026.*