param

Param is a term with multiple meanings across languages, science, and everyday use. In Sanskrit and related Indian languages, param means ultimate or supreme and appears in compounds such as paramātmā (Supreme Self) and parampara (lineage or tradition). In modern usage, param has become a common shorthand for parameter in technical contexts.

In computing and software development, param is often used as informal shorthand for a parameter: a value supplied to a function, procedure, or command to influence its behavior. Distinctions are made between formal parameters, which are the variables in a function definition, and actual arguments, which are the values passed to the function. API documentation and command-line interfaces frequently refer to parameters to describe inputs, options, and configuration settings.

In mathematics and statistics, a parameter is a quantity that defines a family of objects or distributions. It contrasts with variables that can change within a given instance. Parametric forms describe objects using one or more parameters; parametric equations describe curves by expressing coordinates as functions of a parameter, such as x = f(t), y = g(t). In statistics, parameters determine characteristics of distributions, while hyperparameters are higher-level settings chosen before modeling.

Param is also used as a given name in parts of South Asia, reflecting its Sanskrit roots and the cultural emphasis on ultimate or excellent qualities. In general, the term serves as a versatile label for inputs, defining quantities, and aspirational meanings across disciplines.