  Over the past six decades, the computing systems field has experienced
significant transformations, profoundly impacting society with transformational
developments, such as the Internet and the commodification of computing.
Underpinned by technological advancements, computer systems, far from being
static, have been continuously evolving and adapting to cover multifaceted
societal niches. This has led to new paradigms such as cloud, fog, edge
computing, and the Internet of Things (IoT), which offer fresh economic and
creative opportunities. Nevertheless, this rapid change poses complex research
challenges, especially in maximizing potential and enhancing functionality. As
such, to maintain an economical level of performance that meets ever-tighter
requirements, one must understand the drivers of new model emergence and
expansion, and how contemporary challenges differ from past ones. To that end,
this article investigates and assesses the factors influencing the evolution of
computing systems, covering established systems and architectures as well as
newer developments, such as serverless computing, quantum computing, and
on-device AI on edge devices. Trends emerge when one traces technological
trajectory, which includes the rapid obsolescence of frameworks due to business
and technical constraints, a move towards specialized systems and models, and
varying approaches to centralized and decentralized control. This comprehensive
review of modern computing systems looks ahead to the future of research in the
field, highlighting key challenges and emerging trends, and underscoring their
importance in cost-effectively driving technological progress.
