Editing Parameter (section)

{{Short description|Variable used for specification}}
{{Other uses}}
{{more citations needed|date=August 2011}}

A '''parameter''' ({{etymology|grc|''{{wikt-lang|grc|παρά}}'' ({{grc-transl|παρά}})|beside, subsidiary||''{{wikt-lang|grc|μέτρον}}'' ({{grc-transl|μέτρον}})|measure}}), generally, is any characteristic that can help in defining or classifying a particular [[system]] (meaning an event, project, object, situation, etc.). That is, a parameter is an element of a system that is useful, or critical, when identifying the system, or when evaluating its performance, status, condition, etc.

''Parameter'' has more specific meanings within various disciplines, including [[mathematics]], [[computer programming]], [[engineering]], [[statistics]], [[logic]], [[linguistics]], and electronic musical composition.

In addition to its technical uses, there are also extended uses, especially in non-scientific contexts, where it is used to mean defining characteristics or boundaries, as in the phrases 'test parameters' or 'game play parameters'.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}}