The derived string attribute type allows you to create a single value that is a combination of other values (in other words, a way to concatenate other attributes’ values). The string values can be either literal values or references to other system attributes.

For example, you could have an attribute called Long Description that is a combination of the Short Description and Style ID attributes, which are created by an end user.

When viewing the attribute, derived string attributes appear as the string value. The system generates this value when creating or updating an object.

When updating the attribute, you see the attribute label and the string Derived From Other Attributes, which indicates that this attribute is a derived attribute. It later populates with the information you have input in other attributes. After saving, the system evaluates the expression defined in the formula property of the attribute definition and populates the attributes value with the result of the evaluated expression.

When certain Integer Number data types and Real Number data types have a Formula property that contains information, these attributes are called derived numeric attributes because the values set on object instances are derived from the expression specified in the formula property. The Integer Number data type must have a FlexPLM Attribute Type of Integer, and the Real Number data type must have a FlexPLM Attribute Type of Float or Currency.

The derived numeric attribute type allows you to create a single value from a combination of other attributes and operators. Operators include but are not limited to plus, minus, division, and multiplication symbols. For more information, see the “Supported Operators” section in Formulas.

For example, you could have an attribute called Total Revenue that is calculated by multiplying the Retail Price and Sales Volume attributes, which are set by an end user.

When viewing the attribute, derived string attributes appear as the formula value. The system generates this value when creating or updating an object.

When updating the attribute, you see the attribute label and the string Derived From Other Attributes, which indicates that this attribute is a derived attribute. After saving, the system evaluates the expression defined in the formula property of the attribute definition and populates the attribute value with the result of the evaluated expression.

Calculated attributes are used to represent attributes that have a constant numeric value. Calculated attributes allow you to set the attribute value to a given decimal value. Calculated attributes are created using formulas. The formulas can only contain constants (decimal numbers). Calculated attributes can be used by other attributes.

For example, you could create a calculated attribute called Duty Rate with a value of 3.45 represented in the Formula property.

When viewing and updating the attribute, calculated attributes appear as the constant decimal value entered as the value of the formula property.