What is the difference between a client and a system in SAP?

In SAP, a system represents the entire installation of SAP software including the database, application server, and any associated hardware. A system can have multiple clients, each of which is a self-contained unit with its own data and configuration settings.

Each client in SAP has a unique set of data that is isolated from other clients within the same system. Clients are used to differentiate between different departments, business units, or geographical locations within an organization while sharing the same system resources.

It is important to understand the distinction between a system and a client in SAP as it impacts how data is stored, managed, and accessed within the SAP landscape.