Black box (computational theory)

In computational theory, a "black box" refers to a system or device whose internal workings are not known or considered; only its inputs and outputs are observable. Think of it like a sealed container—you can see what you put in and what you get out, but not how the process inside works. This concept helps researchers analyze and reason about complex systems by focusing solely on their behavior without needing to understand every internal detail. It’s useful for studying algorithms, software, and hardware where understanding the inner structure is difficult or unnecessary.