The insides and outsides of computer-based system complexity

Abstract

Personal reflections concerning the man-made complexities in computer-based systems are presented. Complexities are divided into Inside (hardware and systems software) and Outside (development and deployment of application softwares). In order to gain a perspective upon how complexities have arisen, several historical developments in the computer industry are reviewed. Further, a call is made for computer-based system engineers to be proactive in seeking to minimize complexity at all of the abstract and concrete levels of computer-based systems.