A variable measured in discrete time can be plotted as a [[step function]], in which each time period is given a region on the [[horizontal axis]] of the same length as every other time period, and the measured variable is plotted as a height that stays constant throughout the region of the time period. In this graphical technique, the graph appears as a sequence of horizontal steps. Alternatively, each time period can be viewed as a detached point in time, usually at an integer value on the horizontal axis, and the measured variable is plotted as a height above that time-axis point. In this technique, the graph appears as a set of dots.
The values of a variable measured in continuous time are plotted as a [[continuous function]], since the ___domain of time is considered to be the entire real axis or at least some connected portion of it.
