What is an open system? | Definition from TechTarget

▤ Summary

In computing, an open system is a platform that can be modified and extended and has freely available documentation. It was applied to the Unix operating system, which had well-documented programming interfaces and hardware compatibility. This contrasted with the popular mainframes or personal computers that used proprietary hardware and software. It requires the inputs of food and oxygen to continue to function, and it outputs carbon dioxide and other waste, which must be handled by other systems. Earth, as a whole, can be considered a closed system, as nothing generally enters or leaves it except the energy from the sun.

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