Põhitüübid

Põhitüübid, Estonian for "main types," is a term used to describe the core categories that define a classification scheme within a domain. The concept highlights a small set of primary types on which a broader system is built, with other categories or attributes providing refinement.

In practice, põhitüübid are identified during the design of taxonomies, data models, or content schemas. They represent the essential structure of a domain; other types, subtypes, or qualifiers are layered on top to refine or extend the basic scheme. The aim is to keep the main set stable and logically coherent.

Information architecture and software design often rely on põhitüübid as the backbone of organization. Examples include product types in a catalog, or major linguistic categories such as parts of speech when used as the primary classification in a teaching framework. In data modeling, core entity types that reflect key business concepts—such as Customer, Product, and Order—often serve as põhitüübid.

Design considerations: When defining põhitüübid, aim for mutual exclusivity, comprehensive domain coverage, and stability over time. Provide clear inclusion criteria and distinguish main types from subtypes, attributes, or variants. Documentation should explain how each type is used in data processing, reporting, or user interfaces.

See also: taxonomy, classification, ontology, data modeling.