What does 'input' mean in computing?

In computing, 'input' refers specifically to the data that is entered into a computer system for the purpose of being processed. This can include a wide variety of formats, such as text, numbers, images, or commands that users provide via input devices like keyboards, mice, or scanners. The importance of input lies in its role as the initial step in the data processing cycle, whereby the entered information is then manipulated, analyzed, or transformed into output.

The other answer choices relate to different aspects of data and computing processes. Processing data is a subsequent step that happens after input, and archived data refers to information that is stored for long-term use but not currently being accessed or worked on. Output, on the other hand, is the result of processed input, displayed or transmitted after the computer has completed its operations. Thus, while all these terms are critical in understanding computing, 'input' is distinctly defined as the data that is actively entered into the system for processing.