# General point feature lifecycle rules The lifecycles of point features are simpler than those of lines or polygons since they cannot change in size or be split into multiple features. ## **Creation of point features** When a new real-world object comes into being, a new point feature is created to represent it. If, however, the object is a replacement for a previous real-world object in the same position, the original feature is retained. An example would be if an existing post box was replaced by another post box in the same location. ## **Deletion of point features** When a real-world object is no longer present in the real world, the point feature is removed from Ordnance Survey’s holding. Ordnance Survey keeps a record to indicate that the feature with this TOID used to exist and notifies the user at the next date of COU supply. ## **Modification of point features due to real-world change** By the nature of the real-world objects represented as point features in OS MasterMap Topography Layer data, it is unlikely that one will be modified without changing its identity. Therefore, any modification to a point feature as a result of real-world change will result in the deletion of the original feature and creation of a new feature, unless there is a clear reason to identify the resultant real-world object with the original. This applies to both geometric change and change of descriptive group or descriptive term. ## **Modification of point features due to error correction** When a point feature is found to be incorrectly attributed due to an error or is moved due to the correction of a positional accuracy error, the original feature is retained and appropriately modified. This section has explained in some detail the lifecycles of features so that users can understand how the data is managed by Ordnance Survey. --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.os.uk/os-downloads/products/maps-and-imagery-portfolio/os-mastermap-topography-layer/os-mastermap-topography-layer-technical-specification/feature-lifecycles-and-tracking-change/general-point-feature-lifecycle-rules.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.