How is a system defined?

A system is defined as a representation of purposeful man-made objects because this definition captures the essence of systems engineering, which focuses on designing and managing complex systems that are created to achieve specific objectives. Man-made systems are intentional constructs that integrate various components to work together toward a defined goal, effectively transforming inputs into outputs through organized processes.

In systems engineering, the emphasis is often on the interactions and relationships between these components as they work collectively to fulfill the intended purpose. This definition highlights the structured and organized nature of systems as opposed to arbitrary collections of objects or phenomena.

Other definitions, such as an ecological system or a network of natural phenomena, while they may describe systems in a broader context, do not specifically capture the aspect of intentional design and purpose that is foundational to the study and practice of systems engineering.