Relation and difference between Fourier, Laplace and Z transforms

I have become a bit confused about these topics. They've all started looking the same to me. They seem to have the same properties such as linearity, shifting and scaling associated with them. I can't seem to put them separately and identify the purpose of each transform. Also, which one of these is used for frequency analysis?

I couldn't find (with Google) a complete answer that addresses this specific issue. I wish to see them compared on the same page so that I can have some clarity.

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The Laplace and Fourier transforms are continuous (integral) transforms of continuous functions.

The Laplace transform maps a function $f(t)$ to a function $F(s)$ of the complex variable s, where $s = \sigma + j\omega$.

Since the derivative $\dot f(t) = \frac{df(t)}{dt}$ maps to $sF(s)$, the Laplace transform of a linear differential equation is an algebraic equation. Thus, the Laplace transform is useful for, among other things, solving linear differential equations.

If we set the real part of the complex variable s to zero, $\sigma = 0$, the result is the Fourier transform $F(j\omega)$ which is essentially the frequency domain representation of $f(t)$.

The Z transform is essentially a discrete version of the Laplace transform and, thus, can be useful in solving difference equations, the discrete version of differential equations. The Z transform maps a sequence $f[n]$ to a continuous function $F(z)$ of the complex variable $z = re^{j\Omega}$.

If we set the magnitude of z to unity, $r = 1$, the result is the Discrete Time Fourier Transform (DTFT) $F(j\Omega)$ which is essentially the frequency domain representation of $f[n]$.

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The s in the Laplace Transform is a complex number, say a+j$\omega$, so its a more general transform than the completely imaginary Fourier. In fact, so long as you're in the Region of Convergence, it's fair game to go back and forth between the two just by replacing j$\omega$ with s and vice versa –  Scott Seidman Oct 25 '13 at 16:19
I find it useful to think of the Fourier transform as something you apply to periodic signals, and the Laplace transform as something you apply to time-varying signals. (This is a consequence of what @ScottSeidman explained above.) –  Li-aung Yip Oct 26 '13 at 6:23
@Alfred: You haven't actually addressed which one of these is used for frequency analysis - for completeness it is probably worth mentioning that that most people use the FFT for frequency analysis, and how the FFT fits in with the things already listed. –  Li-aung Yip Oct 26 '13 at 6:32
@Li-aungYip, quoting from my answer "Fourier transform $F(j\omega)$ which is essentially the frequency domain representation of $f(t)$. Perhaps you don't agree but that statement does, in fact, address the question of "which one of these is used for frequency analysis". –  Alfred Centauri Oct 26 '13 at 10:55
@Li-aungYip, I think you may be conflating the Fourier series and the Fourier transform. The Fourier series is for periodic functions; the Fourier transform can be thought of as the Fourier series in the limit as the period goes to infinity. So, the Fourier transform is for aperiodic signals. Also, since periodic signals are necessarily time-varying signals, I don't "get" the distinction you're drawing. –  Alfred Centauri Oct 26 '13 at 11:51
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Fourier transforms are for converting/representing a time-varying function in the frequency domain.

A laplace transform are for converting/representing a time-varying function in the "integral domain"

Z-transforms are very similar to laplace but are discrete time-interval conversions, closer for digital implementations.

They all appear the same because the methods used to convert are very similar.

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