Blackwell Reference Online

Extract

Open systems has a specific meaning in computing and information systems. As a system concept ( see system concepts applied to information systems ), an open system, in contrast to a closed system, is one that accepts inputs and provides outputs. The term open systems, when used in reference to computing and information systems hardware and software, means that the application or software specifications are in the public domain and not proprietary to any one manufacturer or developer. Any developer can use the specifications, and any company can develop and sell products based on the open‐system specifications. Open systems often have user groups that develop a shared understanding of the open‐system specifications. The open‐system concept has been applied to operating systems, such as Unix systems and Unix‐based systems such as Linux, and to other hardware and software systems. The advantages of open systems are increased innovation without the dangers of copyright or other ownership restrictions and interoperability of systems that are built around the open‐system specifications. The disadvantages are the lack of incentives for control over the specifications and orderly development and maintenance. Successful open systems generally have a user group that develops a shared understanding of the open‐system specifications. This shared understanding can be very specific or can be ... log in or subscribe to read full text