The difference between an apparatus and a fundamental system is the range that each one covers, their common characteristic being the organization of elements, and their main difference, the type of elements that each one groups together.
The terms device and system are commonly used interchangeably, without considering possible differences, which mainly occurs in the Spanish language. However, a system has a number of characteristics, which make it a different term from apparatus.
In this way, a differentiation can be made between both terms starting from the etymological roots (origin or provenance of the words) of each one, in order to separate their functions.
The word system has its origin from the Latin systema, which means a union of things in an organized way, and is officially defined as an ordered set of procedures, norms or rules that are related to each other.
On the other hand, the word apparatus has its origin in the Latin apparatus, which has different meanings, the most suitable being preparative, and which in turn comes from the verb apparare, which means to prepare or arrange for something.
The term device is even more confusing, due to the amount of correct definitions it has in Spanish, being especially used to define a device, which works by electrical energy. However, the key definition will be: set of systems or means organized for a specific purpose.
Main differences between a device and a system
Elements
System: The wide variety of elements that can make up a system has been mentioned. Thus, one can speak of systems from perspectives as diverse as human anatomy or computers.
Starting from a system in the human anatomy, it will be made up of a set of organs of the same tissue, which will be similar to each other and will fulfill functions of the same order. That is, the elements of a system (in anatomy and in general) are directly related.
Device: A device, like a system, will be made up of a set of varied elements, and likewise, they will be found in different areas and perspectives. However, the elements of an apparatus will generally be more complex structures than those that make up a system, and may precisely be systems.
Taking once again the human anatomy as a point of reference, an apparatus will be made up of a set of systems, which will perform a specific function. For example, the digestive system is the set of organs in charge of the digestion process, that is, of transforming food so that it can be used by cells.
Features
System: A system is responsible for designating a series of norms or rules, which will be related to each other, and will be executed through a process, to achieve a specific result.
Thus, the function or group of functions that a system will perform in a specific area will be determined by a series of factors, such as its nature, its elements, etc. and that they can be part of a larger group, but a system by itself does not have other smaller groups.
Device: A device will also have a specific function or set of functions, but unlike a system, these cover a greater range, because its elements are precisely systems.
Therefore, instead of taking the function performed by each system that makes up a device, as one more function of this, it is more accurate to say that a device will group and organize a series of related systems so that through the various processes carried out by each one, a greater goal is reached.
Processes
System: A process is the set of steps performed by the elements of a system to obtain a desired result. These steps executed in order during a process will depend on the type of system to which its elements belong, and on the desired result.
For example, the operating system of a computer or a cell phone (Android, Windows, OSX, Linux), performs various processes such as running a program or an application, or creating a new file.
Device: As a device is a set of systems, the processes carried out by it will include all the processes carried out by each of the systems of which the device is made.
For example, the operating system is one of the systems that make up a computer, which in turn will be made up of other systems. Thus, to generate sounds, the computer will require a sound card, which is the system whose process performs this function together with the operating system and the player.
goals
System: A system can be generated naturally, as in the case of systems present in living beings, or in a planned way, such as computer systems. The origin of these will largely define your goals.
Since the system is a unit smaller than an apparatus, and many times being part of one, its objectives will be much more specific and structured, using one or more functions and processes to fulfill these.
Apparatus: Similarly, an apparatus can also originate naturally, or through external planning, usually from humans, to achieve a goal, usually planned in advance.
However, the objectives of a device will be many times broader, because the execution of the processes of all the systems that comprise it, and the achievement of the objectives of each one of them, will lead to the fulfillment of the objective of a device.
For example, a government apparatus will be made up of different systems (ministries, mayors, courts), each one fulfilling a specific function, so that the government apparatus may or may not finally meet its objectives in the country it governs, according to the success of each of the systems that comprise it.
References
- System. (2017, July 9). Recovered from en.wikipedia.org
- System. (2017, July 11). Recovered from es.wikipedia.org
- System (anatomy). (2017, June 03). Recovered from es.wikipedia.org
- Definition and etymology of apparatus. (2014, September 19). Recovered from definiciona.com
- Definition and etymology of system. (2014, April 04). Recovered from definiciona.com
- Etymology of apparatus. Recovered from etimologias.dechile.net
- System etymology. Recovered from etimologias.dechile.net.