What do we call any physical or virtual component of limited availability within a computer system?

The term "resources" in the context of computer systems refers to any physical or virtual components that are limited in availability. This includes items such as CPU time, memory, storage space, and network bandwidth, which are essential for the functioning of programs and applications. Understanding that resources are finite is crucial for effective system management, ensuring that the computer can allocate these limited components efficiently to different tasks and processes.

The other options, while related, do not specifically encompass the idea of limited availability. "Assets" often refers to valuable items within a business or investment context, rather than strictly limiting components within a system. "Tools" typically relate to utilities used to perform specific tasks but do not imply limited availability. Finally, "components" is a broader term that encompasses parts of a system without addressing their availability. Thus, "resources" is the most accurate term for parts of a computer system that are finite and must be managed carefully.