(definition)
Definition: A function which is not defined for some inputs of the right type, that is, for some of a domain. For instance, division is a partial function since division by 0 is undefined (on the Reals).
See also total function, partial recursive function.
Note: This definition says a function is either partial or total, but not both. Some authors consider that all functions are partial, but some are total, too.
Author: PEB
Wikipedia entry for partial function.
If you have suggestions, corrections, or comments, please get in touch with Paul Black.
Entry modified 13 September 2007.
HTML page formatted Mon Feb 2 13:10:40 2015.
Cite this as:
Paul E. Black, "partial function", in
Dictionary of Algorithms and Data Structures [online], Vreda Pieterse and Paul E. Black, eds. 13 September 2007. (accessed TODAY)
Available from: http://www.nist.gov/dads/HTML/partialfunct.html