C# read-only calculated properties, should they be methods?

Question

I have several entities that have calculated fields on them such as TotalCost. Right now I have them all as properties but I'm wondering if they should actually be methods. Is there a C# standard for this?

public class WorkOrder {     public int LaborHours { get; set; }     public decimal LaborRate { get; set; }      // Should this be LaborCost()?     public decimal LaborCost     {         get         {             return LaborHours * LaborRate;         }     } } 

Answer 1

It's OK to use calculated properties rather than methods, as long as the calculation doesn't take a noticeable time

See Property usage guidelines

Answer 2

I think methods should perform actions on the object, typically change the state of the object. Properties should reflect the current state of the object even if the property is calculated. So you should keep your properties IMO.