Input files are documents or data sets that provide information to a computer program or system for processing. They can come in various formats, such as text files, spreadsheets, or databases, and are essential for tasks like data analysis, software development, and machine learning. The content of input files can include numbers, text, images, or other types of data that the program needs to function correctly. When a program runs, it reads the input files to gather the necessary information. For example, in a data analysis project, an input file might contain sales figures that the program analyzes to generate reports. Properly formatted input files ensure that the program can interpret the data accurately and produce the desired output.