In the past decades, complex systems with impulsive effects and logical dynamics have received much attention in both the natural and social sciences. This historical survey briefly introduces relevant studies on impulsive differential systems (IDSs) and logical networks (LNs), respectively. To begin with, we investigate five aspects of IDSs containing fundamental theory, Lyapunov stability, input-to-state stability, hybrid impulses and delay-dependent impulses. Next, we compactly summarize the research status of some problems of LNs including controllability, stability and stabilization, observability and current research. Moreover, some significant applications of proposed results are illustrated. Finally, based on this overview, we further discuss some future work on complex systems with impulsive effects and logical dynamics.