Definition of environment of a system (environment or context)

The environment or environment of a system is the suprasystem (suprasystem) in which the system under study is immersed.

The environment of a system is everything that surrounds it, surrounds it or completely surrounds it. Every system is within an environment or environment (with the exception of the Universe itself).

The environment determines the course and operation of the system under study. With this, a system exchanges data, energy and/or matter, in the case of open systems.

As long as the system under study is closed, then it does not exchange data, energy or matter.

The boundary between a system and its environment is given by the boundary of a system.

System and its environment

For example, a human being, seen from the systemic point of view as a living being, is a natural physical system of the open type. Its environment is the environment from which it receives energy, information and matter such as: food, light, sounds, etc. While it sends waste, sound, carbon dioxide, etc. into its environment.

In general, there is no completely closed system, except perhaps for the Universe itself. But there are systems that are more closed than others because what they exchange with the environment is greater or less depending on their degree of openness.

A thermos that keeps hot water inside is a system that tries to be as closed as possible so as not to lose its internal energy in the form of heat to its surroundings. Of course, in a greater or lesser time, it will end up at the same temperature as its environment because it is not 100% closed.

Environment or global environment

Environment or close environment: it is that environment to which the system accesses, it can influence it and it can influence the system.

Distant environment or environment: it is the one inaccessible by the system. The system cannot influence it, but it can influence the system.

Relationship of the limit or boundary of the system and its environment

The boundary or boundary of the system is where the system exchanges data, energy, or matter with its environment. When a boundary is permeable or open, it means that the system itself is open. An open system allows data, energy and/or matter to be exchanged with the environment around it.

When the limit or frontier of the system is closed or impermeable, it means that the system itself is closed. There is no exchange of data, energy or matter with its environment.

Strictly speaking, there are no closed systems, with the exception of the Universe itself (if current theoretical physics is correct). All systems exchange something with their environment.

So conceptually a closed system can be one that exchanges an insignificant amount of energy, data or matter with its environment.

The environment as a threat to a system

Although it may seem like a paradox, the environment (suprasystem) that initially helps the survival and functioning of a system, can also be a threat to a greater or lesser extent for it.

In fact, in the long run, every environment ends with its system according to the laws of thermodynamics. In turn, this suprasystem is threatened by its own suprasystem.