In theoretical computer science, a discrete system is a system with a countable number of states. Discrete systems may be contrasted with continuous systems, which may also be called analog systems. A final discrete system is often modeled with a directed graph and is analyzed for correctness and complexity according to computational theory. Because discrete systems have a countable number of states, they may be described in precise mathematical models.
A computer is a finite-state machine that may be viewed as a discrete system. Because computers are often used to model not only other discrete systems but continuous systems as well, methods have been developed to represent real-world continuous systems as discrete systems. One such method involves sampling a continuous signal at discrete time intervals.
See also
- Digital control
- Finite-state machine
- Frequency spectrum
- Mathematical model
- Sample and hold
- Sample rate
- Sample time
- Z-transform
References
- Hopcroft, John E.; Rajeev Motwani; Jeffrey D. Ullman (2001). Introduction to Automata Theory, Languages, and Computation (2nd ed.). Reading Mass: Addison-Wesley. ISBN 0-201-44124-1.
- Benjamin C. Kuo (1995). Digital Control Systems (2nd ed.). USA: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-512064-7.
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In theoretical computer science a discrete system is a system with a countable number of states Discrete systems may be contrasted with continuous systems which may also be called analog systems A final discrete system is often modeled with a directed graph and is analyzed for correctness and complexity according to computational theory Because discrete systems have a countable number of states they may be described in precise mathematical models A computer is a finite state machine that may be viewed as a discrete system Because computers are often used to model not only other discrete systems but continuous systems as well methods have been developed to represent real world continuous systems as discrete systems One such method involves sampling a continuous signal at discrete time intervals See alsoDigital control Finite state machine Frequency spectrum Mathematical model Sample and hold Sample rate Sample time Z transformReferencesHopcroft John E Rajeev Motwani Jeffrey D Ullman 2001 Introduction to Automata Theory Languages and Computation 2nd ed Reading Mass Addison Wesley ISBN 0 201 44124 1 Benjamin C Kuo 1995 Digital Control Systems 2nd ed USA Oxford University Press ISBN 0 19 512064 7 This technology related article is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte
