[LEAPSECS] Terminology question

[Michael Deckers]

    On 2010-03-09 17:34, Zefram wrote:


>  Tony Finch wrote:

>  >  Is there a generic term for timescales like POSIX time_t and NTP that

>  >  count seconds (or some other interval) since an epoch without taking

>  >  leap seconds into account?

>

>  Apparently not.  I'm inclined to use the phrase "faux linear time".

>  These timescales are really encodings of UTC-wise broken-down time, but

>  they sufficiently resembles a linear timescale that it's commonly mistaken

>  for one.  I think it's worth reminding people clearly of the reality.


    Perhaps "piecewise linear" may also be appropriate -- it is a
    common term in math. TAI - UTC (after 1972) may then be called
    a "step function", which is a "piecewise constant" function.

    Michael Deckers.