Written by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated August 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examโขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated August 2025
Definition
In the context of computer science, a system refers to a collection of interconnected components that work together towards a common goal. It can be hardware, software, or a combination of both.
Hardware: Hardware encompasses physical components such as computers, servers, input/output devices, and networking equipment that make up a computer system.
Software: Software refers to programs or instructions that tell the hardware what tasks to perform. It includes applications, operating systems, utilities, and programming languages.
Interoperability: Interoperability is the ability of different systems or components to exchange information and work together seamlessly. It ensures compatibility between different technologies used within a larger system.