In general, a sample is a limited quantity of something which is intended to be similar to and represent a larger amount of that thing(s). The things could be countable objects such as individual items available as units for sale, or a material not countable as individual items. Even though the word sample implies a smaller quantity taken from a larger amount, sometimes full specimens are called samples if they are taken for analysis, testing, or investigation like other samples. An act of obtaining a sample is called sampling, which can be done by a person or automatically. Samples of material can be taken or provided for testing, analysis, inspection, investigation, demonstration, or trial use. Sometimes, sampling may be continuously ongoing.