aggregate type

programming A data type composed of multiple elements. An

aggregate can be homogeneous (all elements have the same type)

e.g. an array, a list in a functional language, a string

of characters, a file; or it can be heterogeneous (elements

can have different types) e.g. a structure. In most

languages aggregates can contain elements which are themselves

aggregates. e.g. a list of lists.

See also union.

(1996-03-23)