System

A "system" means a conglomeration of related information. A practical example:

"Finding a suitable definition for the term "system" is non-trivial, and perhaps impossible. In fact, it may be argued that all so called "things" are actually systems. For example, a cup is a thing, but it is also a system for holding hot or cold liquid, or other material. The cup has a certain shape, a handle, is made of non-porous material and so on, and it is put together in such a way as to provide a useful function. Therefore it is a system. Whether you consider the cup itself to be a system for holding liquid (say), or extend the idea to also include the presence of gravity... well, that's arbitrary. It depends on the usefulness of the definition in a particular context."

A system consists of components which are connected together in order to facilitate the flow of information, matter or energy. At arbitrary boundaries, a collection of interrelated components may be declared a system and may further be abstracted to be declared a component of a larger system. Systems enable "stuff" to be done. (It's tempting to say that systems enable "things" to be done - but that is confusing in this context.)

An open system can be influenced by events outside of the declared boundaries of a system.

A closed system is self contained and no influence can be made upon the system from outside events.

Dynamic systems have components, and/or flows that change over time.

In Complexity Theory, Autopoesis is seen where new and efficient structures are spontaneously self-organised, for example, the patterns generated in the flow of water from a tap.