What systems are made of

[Curious...]

Hello, this is a hit and run. I hope somebody can help me with my
question anyway...

I have this vague memory of elementary systems theory where it says
that every system can be decomposed into smaller units, each of these
units having their own role to play so that this system can survive.
That memory goes on saying that there exists a list of archetypal
roles (transformation, storage, etc.) that these units can take, but I
don't remember which exactly and I can't find anything about them by a
Google search.

So the question comes in two parts:
(a) is my memory playing tricks on me? or
(b) does anybody knows where I can find a complete list of these
roles?

All I'm trying to find is a great summary of elementary systems
theory. I would also be interested to know if there exists any sort
of diagrams that are used to "easily" express how the various (type
of) components of a system interact with each other.


PS: Since I'm writing from a mailinator address, you should reply
directly to the newsgroup.

Thank you.

Sylvain

[Dazed and Confused]

I'm not exactly sure what you are referring to, but from the two archetypal
roles you give, you could possibly be talking about Data Flow Diagrams.
http://www.smartdraw.com/resources/centers/software/dfd.htm

Hope this helps.

Post by Curious...
Hello, this is a hit and run. I hope somebody can help me with my
question anyway...
I have this vague memory of elementary systems theory where it says
that every system can be decomposed into smaller units, each of these
units having their own role to play so that this system can survive.
That memory goes on saying that there exists a list of archetypal
roles (transformation, storage, etc.) that these units can take, but I
don't remember which exactly and I can't find anything about them by a
Google search.
(a) is my memory playing tricks on me? or
(b) does anybody knows where I can find a complete list of these
roles?
All I'm trying to find is a great summary of elementary systems
theory. I would also be interested to know if there exists any sort
of diagrams that are used to "easily" express how the various (type
of) components of a system interact with each other.
PS: Since I'm writing from a mailinator address, you should reply
directly to the newsgroup.
Thank you.
Sylvain

[Curious...]

Post by Dazed and Confused
I'm not exactly sure what you are referring to, but from the two archetypal
roles you give, you could possibly be talking about Data Flow Diagrams.
http://www.smartdraw.com/resources/centers/software/dfd.htm
Hope this helps.

Sorry, no... I know about DFDs and many software engineering diagram,
but I'm looking for something that's like a mix of mind mapping and
design patterns that can be applied to all systems in general... I
have the feeling that I can find what I'm looking for in some biology
textbook, but I can't traceback where this idea comes from.

Besides storage, transformer, other archetypal roles could be:
nutrient, generator, garbage collector, etc.

Thanks anyway!

[Skinsfan]

Post by Curious...
Hello, this is a hit and run. I hope somebody can help me with my
question anyway...
I have this vague memory of elementary systems theory where it says
that every system can be decomposed into smaller units, each of these
units having their own role to play so that this system can survive.
That memory goes on saying that there exists a list of archetypal
roles (transformation, storage, etc.) that these units can take, but I
don't remember which exactly and I can't find anything about them by a
Google search.
(a) is my memory playing tricks on me? or
(b) does anybody knows where I can find a complete list of these
roles?
All I'm trying to find is a great summary of elementary systems
theory. I would also be interested to know if there exists any sort
of diagrams that are used to "easily" express how the various (type
of) components of a system interact with each other.
PS: Since I'm writing from a mailinator address, you should reply
directly to the newsgroup.
Thank you.
Sylvain

Are you referring to James Grier Miller's Living Systems Theory? If so,
you are talking about looking at the various subsystems involved
(boundary, transducer, motor function, decider function, etc...)