# Programmable Filter computation

**URL:** https://discourse.paraview.org/t/programmable-filter-computation/7723
**Category:** ParaView Support
**Created:** [July 29, 2021, 12:24pm UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/programmable-filter-computation/7723 "2021-07-29T12:24:46Z")
**Posts on this page:** 2
**Page:** 1

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### Author: ![gizem](https://discourse.paraview.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/g/7ea924/32.png) [@gizem](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/gizem)
#### Post date: [July 29, 2021, 12:24pm UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/programmable-filter-computation/7723/1 "2021-07-29T12:24:46Z")

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Hello,  
I’d like to know how the programmable filter computes- does it calculate every timesteps whenever I press the apply button, or does it calculate each timestep individually when I press the Play button?

Thank you in advance.

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### Author: ![Kenneth\_Moreland](https://discourse.paraview.org/user_avatar/discourse.paraview.org/kenneth_moreland/32/15033_2.png) [@Kenneth\_Moreland](https://discourse.paraview.org/u/Kenneth_Moreland)
#### Post date: [July 29, 2021, 2:35pm UTC](https://discourse.paraview.org/t/programmable-filter-computation/7723/2 "2021-07-29T14:35:04Z")

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The `Programmable Filter`'s calculations are executed just like any other filter in ParaView’s pipeline. Filters are generally executed on an as-needed basis. The mechanics can get complicated, and I won’t try to go into details. Generally, it will calculate each timestep individually when you press the Play button.