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3.2. pg_aggregate

pg_aggregate stores information about aggregate functions. An aggregate function is a function that operates on a set of values (typically one column from each row that matches a query condition) and returns a single value computed from all these values. Typical aggregate functions are sum, count, and max.

Table 3-2. pg_aggregate Columns

Name Type References Description
aggname name   Name of the aggregate function
aggowner int4 pg_shadow.usesysid Owner (creator) of the aggregate function
aggtransfn regproc (function) pg_proc.oid Transition function
aggfinalfn regproc (function) pg_proc.oid Final function
aggbasetype oid pg_type.oid The input datatype for this aggregate function
aggtranstype oid pg_type.oid The type of the aggregate function's internal transition (state) data
aggfinaltype oid pg_type.oid The type of the result
agginitval text   The initial value of the transition state. This is a text field containing the initial value in its external string representation. If the field is NULL, the transition state value starts out NULL.

New aggregate functions are registered with the CREATE AGGREGATE command. See the Programmer's Guide for more information about writing aggregate functions and the meaning of the transition functions, etc.

An aggregate function is identified through name and argument type. Hence aggname and aggbasetype are the composite primary key.