# Attribute Metadata Types

DataPancake categorizes attributes into three types based on their origin:

***

## Discovered Attributes

**Definition:** Attributes automatically discovered during the scanning process.

**Characteristics:**

* Created when `ATTRIBUTE_CREATE_TYPE = 'Discover'` in scan configuration
* Represents actual fields found in source data
* Cannot be deleted (only `RECORD_STATUS = 'inactive'`)
* All 7 polymorphic versions created proactively

**Creation:** During scan process via `sp_upsert_attribute`. All 7 polymorphic versions created in `core.datasource_attribute_polymorphic_version`; only matching versions set to `VERSION_STATUS = 'active'`.

***

## Schema Attributes

**Definition:** Attributes created from a schema sample rather than full data scanning.

**Characteristics:**

* Created when `ATTRIBUTE_CREATE_TYPE = 'Schema'` in scan configuration
* Based on schema sample from `DATASOURCE_OBJECT_SCHEMA_SAMPLE` field
* All 7 polymorphic versions created proactively
* Can be updated when full scans are performed

**Use Cases:** Rapid prototyping without full data scans; testing configurations with sample schemas.

***

## Virtual Attributes

**Definition:** User-created custom attributes that don't exist in the source data.

**Characteristics:**

* Created via UI or `sp_upsert_virtual_datasource_attribute` stored procedure
* Single polymorphic version (no polymorphism)
* Automatically set to `INCLUDE_IN_CODE_GEN = TRUE`
* `ATTRIBUTE_TYPE = 'Virtual'`

**Required fields:**

* Attribute name (no spaces)
* Source data type
* Snowflake data type
* Transformation expression (SQL)

**Optional fields:**

* Parent array (for array-level virtual attributes)
* `W_QUESTION_CATEGORY` (for Cortex Analyst semantic models)

**Use Cases:**

* Derived fields (e.g., `full_name = first_name || ' ' || last_name`)
* Semantic model metrics/filters/dimensions
* Business logic not in source data

***

## Comparison

| Feature                     | Discovered         | Schema             | Virtual        |
| --------------------------- | ------------------ | ------------------ | -------------- |
| **Source**                  | Full data scan     | Schema sample      | User-created   |
| **ATTRIBUTE\_CREATE\_TYPE** | `'Discover'`       | `'Schema'`         | N/A            |
| **Polymorphic Versions**    | All 7 created      | All 7 created      | Single version |
| **Can Delete**              | No (mark inactive) | No (mark inactive) | Yes            |
| **Update Method**           | Re-scan            | Re-scan or update  | UI/API update  |


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