雖然計算機硬件的發展取得了長足的進展，但大型軟件或軟硬件系統的建設仍然是一個具有挑戰性的領域。當需要通過使用分布式系統實現更大的靈活性、通過使用多個處理器和新架構獲得更大的計算能力、通過使用容錯功能獲得更高的可靠性以及通過使用智能組件獲得更大的能力時，問題會進一步增多。研究和開發活動的這些領域屬于開發學科，即計算機系統。現代計算機系統并不局限于這些領域中的任何一個，而是將它們以各種組合方式連接在一起。CSSE致力于計算機系統科學的理論發展及其在計算機系統工程中的應用。該期刊涵蓋了系統領域在理論和實際硬件和軟件問題上正在進行的大量研究活動，以及工業界在此類系統的工程、實施和開發方面正在進行的大量工作。定期出版原始研究論文、最新評論和技術說明。研究筆記、新的開發經驗和應用論文是該雜志全面報道該主題的重要部分；工業發展和新產品也受到監控。會議日程、新書評論和來自世界各地的重要會議報告使讀者充分了解情況。

Whilst considerable progress has been made in the development of computer hardware, the construction of large software or software/hardware systems still remains a challenging area. The issues multiply further when there is a need to achieve greater flexibility through the use of distributed systems, much greater computing power through the use of multiple processors and new architectures, greater reliability through the use of fault tolerance and greater capability though the use of intelligent components. These areas of research and development activity belong to the developing discipline which known as computer systems. Modern computer systems do not confine themselves to any one of these areas, but draw them together in various combinations. CSSE is devoted to theoretical developments in computer systems science and their applications in computer systems engineering. The journal covers the intense research activity that is being carried out in the systems field in both theoretical and practical hardware and software problems, together with the substantial amount of work being carried out within industry on the engineering, implementation and development of such systems. Original research papers, state-of-art reviews and technical notes are published regularly. Research notes, new development experience and application papers are an important part of the journal’s all-round coverage of the subject; industrial developments and new products are also monitored. A conference calendar, reviews of new books and reports of important meetings from around the world keep the reader fully informed.