sistemi

Sistemi, the plural of sistema in Italian, is a general term used across disciplines to describe an organized set of elements that interact to form a coherent whole. A system gains structure from the arrangement of its parts, their boundaries, and the flows of information, matter, or energy that connect them. Systems can be natural, artificial, or abstract, and they are studied to understand how local interactions give rise to global behavior.

Core features include components with defined interfaces, interdependencies, feedback loops, and a purpose or function. Systems can be open, exchanging energy or information with their environment, or closed, with minimal exchange. Properties such as stability, resilience, and adaptability emerge from the organization of the parts rather than from any single component.

Typologies commonly include natural systems (ecosystems, cellular networks), engineered or technological systems (transport networks, electrical grids, software architectures), social systems (organizations, economies), and abstract or formal systems (mathematical logics, decision procedures).

System theory and analysis emphasize holistic thinking and the study of relationships. Methods include modeling, simulation, and network analysis. Concepts such as hierarchy, modularity, feedback, homeostasis, and self-organization help explain how complex behavior arises from simple rules.

Applications span science and engineering, policy and management, urban planning, ecology, and information technology. Understanding systems supports design, optimization, and risk assessment, as well as the analysis of how changes in one part of a system affect the whole.