Plotting functions with gnuplot over a larger range than the function is defined for

Question

I'd like to plot some function f(x) where f(x) = x for 0 <= x <= a, and -2 otherwise. And I'd to plot it on a graph with x axes between two arbitrary points.

How would I go about doing this with gnuplot?

Answer 1

Try something like:

set xrange [ -4 : 4 ]

or

plot [ -4 : 4 ] f(x)