Create a Calculated Property

• Sep 08, 2025
• 2 minutes to read

This topic explains how to create calculated properties.

The example code below declares a Payment entity class with the following properties:

• Rate (a persistent property)
• Hours (a persistent property)
• Amount (a non-persistent, calculated property: Amount = Rate * Hours)

Note

Before you proceed, take a moment to review the previous lesson:

• Implement a Data Model: Basics

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Navigate to the MySolution.Module\Business Objects folder. Create a Payment class. Replace the auto-generated declaration with the following code:

   using DevExpress.ExpressApp.DC;
   using DevExpress.Persistent.Base;
   using DevExpress.Persistent.BaseImpl.EF;
   
   [DefaultClassOptions]
   public class Payment : BaseObject {
       public virtual decimal Rate { get; set; }
       public virtual float Hours { get; set; }
   
       // Use the `PersistentAlias` attribute to specify the property value calculation expression.
       // Call the `EvaluateAlias` method to access the calculated value.
       [PersistentAlias("Rate * Hours")]
       public decimal Amount {
           get { return EvaluateAlias<decimal>(); }
       }
   }
   

   Tip

   You can apply an ImmediatePostDataAttribute to the Rate and Hours properties. If you do so, any change to these properties immediately forces the Amount value to be recalculated.

2. Register the Payment type in DbContext:

   public class MySolutionEFCoreDbContext : DbContext {
       //...
       public DbSet<Payment> Payments { get; set; }
   }
   

3. Run the application in debug mode with attached debugger. Select the Payment item in the navigation control and click New. In the Detail View, change the Rate and Hours properties and note the updated Amount value.

   

Next Lesson

Add a Simple Action