Definition:
An Aggregate is a collection of Entitys.
There are various types of aggregates which vary in the
constraints imposed on the elements of the collection.
See the table below.
Required Relationships:
There are no slots that are required for an aggregate.
Other Common Relationships:
element:
the individual entities that comprise the aggregate.
number-of-elements:
the number of elements in the aggregate
Examples:
a group of three butterflies
number-of-elements: three
a collection of Moe, Larry, and Curly
element: Moe, Larry, Curly
Comment:
Optionally, you might also assert that the size
is three,
although this information is redundant since the system can
infer it from the list of elements.
a pool of enzymes in the stomach
Comment: A pool is an aggregate of a identical or functionally
identical elements in a compartment of an organism