Discrete
The word
discrete comes from the
Latin word
discretus which means
separate. It is used with different meanings in different contexts:
*In
perception, a
discrete entity is something that can be perceived individually and not as connected to, or part of something else.
*In
topology, a branch of mathematics, a
discrete space is a
topological space in which all sets are
open, and a
discrete set is a set of
isolated points.
*In
discrete mathematics, without notion of continuity, a discrete set is a
countable set; this concept is also important for
combinatorics,
probability theory, and
statistical theory.
*In
statistics a
discrete random variable defines a particular type of
variable (in contrast to a
continuous random variable).
*In
discrete mathematics and in
theoretical computer science, the abstract world is usually modeled as a
discrete space with
discrete time.
*In
electrical engineering,
discrete means having separate
electronic components, such as individual
resistors and
inductors. This is the opposite of
integrated circuitry.
*In
audio engineering,
discrete means having separate and independent
channels of
audio, as opposed to
matrixed
stereo or
quadrophonic, or other multi-channel sound.
*A
discrete signal in information theory and signal processing
*In music, a
discrete pitch is one with a steady frequency, rather than an indiscrete gliding,
glissando or
portamento, pitch.
Discrete is
not the same thing as
discreet.
