What do we call something put into a system to achieve a result?

In scientific and technical contexts, the term 'input' refers specifically to something added to a system or process to generate a desired outcome or result. Inputs are crucial for functioning systems, as they are the initial resources, data, or signals that trigger operations or reactions within various contexts, such as experiments, computer programs, or biological processes.

For instance, in a scientific experiment, input could refer to the materials or variables introduced to test a hypothesis. In computing, input includes any information entered into a system for processing. This concept underscores the importance of inputs in determining the subsequent outputs or results of a system’s operations.