We explain what a system is and what types of systems exist. System examples. Systems in computer science and biology.
What is a system?
A system is understood to be a ordered set of related components whether they are material or conceptual elements, endowed with a particular structure, composition and environment. It is a term that applies to various areas of knowledge, such as physics, biology and information technology or computing.
The world can be approached from a systematic or systematic perspective, in which all objects are part of some type of system from the particles of an atom to the cerebral cortex, representative democracy or integers. Seen this way, a system is nothing more than a segment of reality that can be studied independently of the rest, but in which its components are interconnected.
Systems are the object of study of Systems Theory or General Systems Theory, a discipline that addresses them whatever they are from a multiple, interdisciplinary perspective. According to her, any system is recognizable given its limits and interrelated and interdependent parts (its so-called subsystems), to such a point that the modification of one element necessarily modifies the operation of the rest of the system.
Similarly, a system is considered to be more than the mere sum of its parts, that is, within a system it is possible to predict the behavior of its components if the others are modified and systems also have a purpose to fulfill, an ultimate goal that guarantees their success.
Ultimately, all systems tend toward entropy (disorder) and eventually break down into a larger one.
System types
The systems can be classified into two broad categories:
- Conceptual systems. These are ordered and interrelated sets of concepts and ideas, which can be of four different types: individuals, predicates, sets or operators. They are abstract, intangible.
- Material systems. On the contrary, they are tangible, concrete, and composed of physical components, that is, things with specific properties, such as energy, history, position, etc.
System examples
In our daily lives there are many systems, such as:
- circulatory system. Of the human body, made up of the heart, veins and arteries, as well as the blood that carries oxygen throughout the body.
- Closed thermal system. As is the case with a thermos in which we store hot coffee, and the insulating material helps minimize heat loss, maintaining the heat energy in the liquid particle system.
- linguistic system. In the case of the language we speak, composed of signs and sounds, and the ability to create complex meanings (meanings) with it.
- Solar system. Of which our planet is a part, and which is made up of celestial stars orbiting the Sun in elliptical trajectories, attracted by its force of gravity.
- Electrical system. Present in our homes and activated when a switch is turned on to provide electricity to the light bulb that illuminates the room, for example.
Systems in computing
In computing, a system is understood to be a set of data arranged according to a series of instructions or algorithms which allow quick and simple location and recovery.
That is an information or computer system, a concept that other information sciences such as library science also use, but in the case of computing it is managed automatically by a computer.
Systems in biology
In biology, similarly, the notion of system is often used to refer to the living or inanimate members of a specific ecosystem or habitat which are usually interrelated through cycles of matter transmission (trophic chains) and also depend on the presence of the other and the abundance of natural resources such as sunlight, water and decomposing organic matter (in the case of plants and other energy-producing organisms).
