What do we call cloud components from which data can be gathered?

The term that best refers to cloud components from which data can be gathered is "objects." In cloud computing, particularly in object storage systems, data is stored as discrete units called objects. Each object consists of data, metadata, and a unique identifier. This architecture allows for easy retrieval and management of data.

When dealing with cloud storage solutions like Amazon S3, Google Cloud Storage, or similar services, the objects can represent files, images, documents, or any data that is stored in the cloud. This makes "objects" the appropriate choice when discussing components that facilitate data gathering and interaction.

Other terms like instances, resources, and endpoints have specific meanings in cloud computing but do not directly reflect the idea of discrete data units. Instances often refer to virtual servers or virtual machines, resources encompass a broader category of anything consumable within the cloud environment, and endpoints are network locations used for connecting to the cloud services.