The
concept of a complex system is defined as that system wherein all components are interdependent,
such that the removal of one of these components will affect the system as a
whole.
Complex systems are systems that depend on the integration of its
components, and will be deeply changed or even destroyed if a component or a
relationship between components, for any reason, is affected.
Complex
systems may not be confused with "complicated" systems. Complicated
systems sometimes have the appearance of complex ones, but do not have an
internal degree of interdependence between components, as occurs with complex
systems.
Complicated
systems are those wherein removal of a component does not affect the behavior
of the system. While the "complicated" systems can be reduced,
complex systems may not, without losing its characteristics.
Considering industrial applications, examples of
complex systems are power distribution systems, datacenters, building
automation networks, factory automation networks and several other industrial
systems and installations. In all of them, their internal components behave
like actors in a social network, and their relationships are essential to the
operation of the system