What function do "Aggregates" serve in OutSystems?

Aggregates in OutSystems serve the fundamental role of enabling data retrieval and manipulation. This functionality is crucial for developers as it allows them to query the database effectively and gather the necessary data to be used within the application. Using aggregations, developers can create complex queries without having to write raw SQL, making it easier to work with data structures and manipulate information as needed.

Aggregates also allow for integrated filtering, sorting, and joining of data from multiple sources, which streamlines the development process and enhances performance by optimizing how data is fetched. This capability is essential for building robust applications that require dynamic data interaction, whether it's displaying datasets in a user interface or processing user inputs to update records.

In contrast, other functions outlined in the choices focus on different aspects of application development. Visualization of UI design pertains to a different layer of the development stack, while caching and user authentication serve specific purposes that do not involve direct manipulation of data for business logic and application functionality as aggregates do.