# Execution (classic) An *execution* is an activity that indicates the loading of a binary into the memory of a computer to run it as a separate process. If two (or more) executions of the same binary are separated by less than a few minutes, the Engine aggregates them into a single execution. The duration of the aggregated execution spans from the start of the first execution to the end of the last execution. The *cardinality* of the aggregated execution equals to the number of different independent executions. This mechanism naturally groups repeated or parallel executions of the same program, helping the Engine save space for data retention. *** RELATED CONCEPTS * [Activity](/platform/references/references-classic/glossary-classic/activity-classic.md) * [Binary](/platform/references/references-classic/glossary-classic/binary-classic.md) * [Executable](/platform/references/references-classic/glossary-classic/executable-classic.md) --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.nexthink.com/platform/references/references-classic/glossary-classic/execution-classic.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.