This data in contrast to interval data deals with an absolute zero. Such as the Kelvin temperature scale and grades. Continuity Continuous data is data that never stops, for example temperature and elevation data is never-ending. Any point in the world where you happen to be there is temperature and there is elevation. In various locations elevation and temperature are always changing.
Discrete data is well defined or fixed.
In all cases of discrete data there always is plenty of it. Some examples of discrete data are the US Census or cows per square mile in Nebraska. Which are size, distribution, pattern, neighborhood, orientation, size, shape, and contiguity. Before these features can be used in a GIS system they must have numbers assigned to them or be encoded. Sources of Data For any kind of research there needs to be data to make it believable.