System: Contemporary Concept, Definition, and Language: SBC Architecture at Work

Human beings have employed the concept, definition, and language of systems so widely in all kinds of scientific studies. A systems definition is used to describe what a system is. Systems definition 1.0 defines a system hopefully to be an integrated whole, embodied in its components, their interrelationships with each other and the environment, and the principles and guidelines governing its design and evolution. Systems structure and systems behavior are the two most significant views of a system. In order to achieve an integrated whole of a system, we first need to integrate the systems structure and behavior. Because systems definition 1.0 defining a system does not describe the integration of systems structure and systems behavior, very likely it will never be able to form a truly integrated whole of a system. In this situation, systems definition 1.0 is powerless in defining a system appropriately. Structure-behavior coalescence (SBC) architecture provides an elegant way to integrate the structure and behavior of a system. Therefore, systems definition 2.0 shall use the SBC architecture to define a system. Systems definition 2.0 defines a system, through SBC architecture, truly to be an integrated whole, embodied in its components, their interactions with each other and the environment, and the principles and guidelines governing its design and evolution. In this book, we give the contemporary concept and definition of a system based on the SBC architecture. By this book's introduction and elaboration of the SBC architecture, all readers shall understand clearly how the SBC architecture helps us effectively define a system.

Dr. William S. Chao is the CEO & founder of SBC Architecture International(R). SBC (Structure-Behavior Coalescence) architecture is a systems architecture which demands the integration of systems structure and systems behavior of a system. SBC architecture applies to hardware architecture, software architecture, enterprise architecture, knowledge architecture, and thinking architecture. The core theme of SBC architecture is: "Architecture = Structure > Behavior." William S. Chao received his bachelor degree (1976) in telecommunication engineering and master degree (1981) in information engineering, both from the National Chiao-Tung University, Taiwan. From 1976 till 1983, he worked as an engineer at Chung-Hwa Telecommunication Company, Taiwan. William S. Chao received his master degree (1985) in information science and Ph.D. degree (1988) in information science, both from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, USA. From 1988 till 1991, he worked as a computer scientist at GE Research and Development Center, Schenectady, New York, USA. Dr. William S. Chao has been teaching at National Sun Yat-Sen University, Taiwan since 1992 and now serves as the president of Association of Enterprise Architects, Taiwan Chapter. His research covers: systems architecture, hardware architecture, software architecture, enterprise architecture, knowledge architecture, and thinking architecture.