Discretization
When discretization is called the recovery of a discrete subset of a continuous data or information set. The aim of discretization is the treatment of continuous objects (for example curved lines) in finite time and with finite storage space.
Discretization is a central concept in numerical mathematics and in cartography , where it denotes the breaking down of spatial continua such as surfaces etc. into small sections or individual points.
See also
Wiktionary: discretization - explanations of meanings, word origins, synonyms, translations