What do system boundaries define?

System boundaries play a crucial role in systems analysis and design as they delineate the limits of a system. More specifically, they define the point at which a system's functionality ends and the external environment begins. This distinction is vital for understanding what is included within the system and what is external to it. By clearly establishing system boundaries, analysts can focus on the specific functionalities, processes, and interactions that are part of the system without being conflated with outside influences or processes.

When system boundaries are well-defined, it leads to a clearer understanding of the system's purpose, scope, and interactions. This clarity is important for effective system design, ensuring that analysts and developers know what to include in their design and where to draw the limits of the system. It also aids in identifying external factors that can impact system performance, reliability, and integration with other systems or processes.

The other options refer to different aspects of systems design but do not capture the essence of what system boundaries represent. For instance, one option mentions internal components of a system, which describes the makeup of the system rather than its limits. Another considers the range of functionalities included, which might overlap with the boundaries but does not explicitly define them. Lastly, the option about interactions between users and the system