In mathematical analysis, a domain or region is a non-empty, connected, and open set in a topological space. In particular, it is any non-empty connected open subset of the real coordinate space R or the complex coordinate space C. A connected open subset of coordinate space is frequently used for the domain of a function.
The basic idea of a connected subset of a space dates from the 19th century, but precise definitions vary slightly from generation to generation, author to author, and edition to edition, as concepts developed and terms were translated between German, French, and English works. In English, some authors use the term domain, some use the term region, some use both terms interchangeably, and some define the two terms slightly differently; some avoid ambiguity by sticking with a phrase such as non-empty connected open subset.
