In control theory, what is a process typically defined as?

In control theory, a process is defined as the transformation or modification involving both materials and energy. This encompasses a wide range of activities where substances are altered or changed in form and energy is transformed or transferred.

For instance, in a power plant, the conversion of fuel into electricity involves both the physical alteration of the materials (the fuel) and the transformation of energy (from chemical energy to electrical energy). Therefore, a more holistic understanding of a process includes this dual aspect of modifying physical substances while also considering the energy associated with those substances.

This definition is integral to control systems because effectively managing processes necessitates understanding how input materials and energy interact to produce desired outputs.