Aggregatsioon

Aggregatsioon, or aggregation, is the process of combining separate elements into a single unit or summarized form. The term is used across disciplines to describe how parts come together to form a whole, often to simplify analysis or reveal patterns. In Estonian, aggregatsioon is the standard term for this concept.

In statistics and data processing, aggregation refers to summarizing data by functions such as sum, average, count, minimum and maximum. It reduces data dimensionality or aggregates observations by groups, as in SQL queries using GROUP BY or in distributed computing frameworks that implement map-reduce workflows.

In software engineering, aggregation denotes a relationship where one object includes other objects but the contained objects can exist independently of the container. This is distinct from composition, where the lifetime of parts is tied to the whole. Aggregation supports modular design and flexible reuse of components.

In the natural sciences, aggregation describes the clustering of particles, molecules, or organisms into aggregates or colonies. In chemistry and physics, this can lead to phenomena such as flocculation or precipitation; in biology, cell aggregates and tissue formation are common developmental processes.

In the social sciences, aggregation refers to combining individuals into larger units for analysis, such as populations, cohorts, or geographic regions. Aggregated data enable researchers to identify broad trends and make inferences that are not apparent at the level of single observations.