In terminal sliding-mode control, the system states are brought to the origin in finite time using the concept of sliding-mode control. Though the theory of terminal sliding mode is well studied for continuous time systems, a discrete-time terminal sliding mode concept has not been investigated. This note analyses the applicability of terminal sliding-mode control in the discrete-time framework and discusses the problems involved in the discretization of continuous-time terminal sliding mode. The note also suggests a method to approach the discrete-time terminal sliding-mode control problem. © 2006 IEEE.