Definition of abstract (or conceptual) system

An abstract or conceptual system is a system that has no tangible existence. It is composed of ideas and concepts.

It is one of the two possible classes of system according to its constitution or nature, the other class is physical or concrete systems.

If a system is not classified as abstract or conceptual then it is classified as a physical or concrete system.

The boundary or boundary of the system in the case of abstract systems is generally more difficult to define.

An abstract or conceptual system requires a physical system to function and fulfill its objective. A software requires a computer, a State of institutions, people and buildings, an educational system of a physical infrastructure and people, etc.

Examples of abstract or conceptual systems

They are abstract or conceptual systems: an operating system, a software or computer program, an ideology, a nation state, an educational system, etc.

Physical systems and abstract systems

Physical and abstract systems often work hand in hand, since a physical system needs an abstract subsystem to function and vice versa.

An operating system (such as Windows or Android) is an abstract system and can be studied as such. It does not have a physical subsystem, but it must function as a subsystem of a higher physical system that contains it (a suprasystem), such as a computer or a cell phone, for it to work and make sense.

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