(definition)
Definition: A function which is defined for all inputs of the right type, that is, for all of a domain.
See also partial function.
Note: Square (x²) is a total function. Reciprocal (1/x) is not, since 0 is a real number, but has no reciprocal.
Author: PEB
If you have suggestions, corrections, or comments, please get in touch with Paul E. Black.
Entry modified 13 September 2007.
HTML page formatted Thu Sep 13 14:52:54 2007.
Cite this as:
Paul E. Black, "total function", in
Dictionary of Algorithms and Data
Structures [online], Paul E. Black, ed.,
U.S. National Institute of
Standards and Technology. 13 September 2007. (accessed TODAY)
Available from: http://www.nist.gov/dads/HTML/totalfunc.html