pathwaydependent
Pathway-dependent refers to properties or outcomes of a system that depend on the sequence of steps or pathways taken, rather than solely on the initial state or the final target. The term emphasizes historical contingency, meaning that the same starting conditions can lead to different results if the processing route differs. Pathway dependence is related to, but distinct from, general path dependence, which describes a broader tendency for systems to follow a particular trajectory due to cumulative effects.
In biology and chemistry, pathway-dependent behavior describes how intermediate states, regulatory events, and stepwise branching determine
In the social sciences and economics, pathway dependence explains how early choices, standards, institutions, or technologies
Limitations: not all processes are pathway-dependent; many systems are dominated by current conditions and stochastic variation.
See also: path dependence, hysteresis, historical contingency.