< 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)