frange

Frange is a term used in computer science to denote a function or construct that yields a sequence of floating-point numbers within a specified range. It is closely related to the mathematical concept of a range but allows non-integer step sizes and endpoints. In practice, a frange takes parameters such as start, stop, and step, and produces a sequence starting at start and continuing by increments of step until the value would reach or exceed stop, depending on the sign of step. Most definitions implement a half-open interval, excluding stop.

In programming contexts, frange is often realized as an iterator or generator. Because floating-point arithmetic can introduce rounding errors, implementations may accumulate small deviations, and users must consider issues of inclusivity, precision, and termination. Some languages provide built-in support for floating-range functionality, while others require a small user-defined routine to generate the sequence.

Common uses include sampling a continuous domain for numerical methods, preparing data for plotting, and constructing grids for simulations. Frange is typically contrasted with integer-range constructs, such as a standard range function, which operate on discrete steps. When finer control over sampling density is needed, frange provides a practical alternative to fixed-point or purely integer-based ranges. Related concepts include linspace, which generates a fixed number of evenly spaced samples, and arange, a similar floating-range utility found in numerical libraries.

See also: range, arange, linspace, floating-point precision.