Complex vs. Complicated

These two terms are often confused, but they are not the same thing.

When a team solves a complext problem together, the result is joy. Photo by Christian Battaglia on Unsplash

Complexity refers to the inherent difficulty of a system, process, or problem. It is a measure of the amount of information, components, or variables that are involved in a system. A system can be simple, with few components and little information, or complex, with many components and a lot of information. Complexity can be thought of as a measure of the degree to which a system is composed of interconnected parts.

Complication, on the other hand, refers to the difficulty of understanding or working with a system, process, or problem. A system can be complicated even if it is not inherently complex. A complicated system might have a lot of unnecessary or redundant components, poor documentation, or confusing interfaces, making it hard to understand or use.

An example of the difference between complexity and complication can be seen in a computer program:

• A program that performs a simple task such as a calculator, is relatively simple in its complexity as it has only a few components and a limited number of variables, but it can be complicated if it has poor user interface or it is not well-documented.
• A program that performs a complex task such as a video game, is relatively complex in…