System
- In general: A principle for ordering and structuring.
- In engineering: A coherent, delimitable set of elements that – by coordinated action – achieve some purpose.
Notes:
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A system may comprise other systems or Components as sub-systems.
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The purposes achieved by a system may be delivered by:
a. deploying the system at the place(s) where it is used,
b. selling/providing the system as a Product to its Users,
c. having providers who offer the system’s capabilities as Services to users. -
Systems containing both software and physical Components are called cyber-physical systems.
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Systems spanning software, hardware, people and organizational aspects are called socio-technical systems.
Important: In all definitions referring to system in this glossary, system is an umbrella term which includes:
- Products provided to Customers,
- Services made available to Customers,
- Other work products such as devices, procedures or tools that help people or organizations achieve some goal,
- System Components or Compositions of systems.