stepparameter

Stepparameter, also written as step parameter, is a variable that controls the size of steps taken by a process, model, or algorithm. It determines the discretization granularity or the increment between successive states. In practice, stepparameters are used to navigate a parameter space, drive iterative solvers, and set time or spatial resolution in simulations.

Common uses include numerical integration where the time step Δt acts as the stepparameter; in optimization and root finding where a step size governs update magnitudes; in parameter sweeps where a single variable is varied in fixed increments; and in discrete-event simulations where resolution is defined by the step.

Choosing a stepparameter involves balancing accuracy and cost. Larger steps reduce runtime but can miss important behavior or cause instability; smaller steps improve fidelity but increase computation. In many methods, adaptive stepparameters adjust automatically based on error estimates or stability criteria, preserving efficiency without sacrificing accuracy.

In software, a stepparameter is typically a loop control variable or a configuration option that sets the grid or time discretization. Examples include iterating for a variable from start to end with a fixed increment, or passing a step size to an integrator.

See also: parameter sweep, step size, adaptive step size, discretization, numerical integration, time stepping.