The problem of estimating the frequency spectrum of a real continuous function, which is measured onldy at a finite number of discrete times, is discussed in this tutorial review. Based on the deconvolution method, the complex version of the one-dimensional CLEAN algorithm provides a simple way to remove the artefacts introduced by the sampling and the effects of missing data from the computed Fourier spectrum. The technique is very appropriate in the case of equally spaced data, as well as for data samples randomly distributed in time. An example of the application of CLEAN to a synthetic spectrum of a small number of harmonic components at discrete frequencies is shown. The case of a low signal-to-noise time sequence is also presented by illustrating how CLEAN recovers the spectrum of the declination component of the geomagnetic field, measured in the magnetic observatory of Dourbes.