Читать книгу Cyber-physical Systems - Pedro H. J. Nardelli - Страница 34

In this chapter, we went through different meanings of the word “system.” Among its different usages, we employed the definition and conceptualization from Systems Engineering as our theoretical raw material to then produce a scientific concept. From the general formalization of a system based on its components with their own specific attributes combined to perform a specific function or specific functions, we defined and solved the demarcation problem. The demarcation problem refers to how a particular system – determined by its peculiar function – is articulated with everything else by means of its conditions of existence. The demarcation is a theoretical process, exclusively symbolic, that produces objective knowledge of particular engineered objects that are conceptualized as functioning systems, which already exist or might exist. We also indicated different forms into which systems can be classified with respect to their own characteristics. Different examples were presented to illustrate the most important topics. At the end of this chapter, we dedicated a section to analyze as a system one classical thought experiment that will reappear in the following chapters: Maxwell's demon.