Distributed applications are software systems that consist of multiple components that run on different devices or locations and communicate with each other over a network. These components work together to accomplish a common goal but can operate independently and can fail or be replaced without affecting the system’s overall functionality.
Examples of distributed applications include:
- Cloud computing services such as Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure.
- Content delivery networks such as Akamai and Cloudflare.
- Distributed databases such as MongoDB and Cassandra.
- Distributed version control systems such as Git and Mercurial.
Distributed file systems such as Hadoop HDFS and GlusterFS.
Distributed applications have several advantages over traditional monolithic applications, such as increased scalability, fault tolerance, and availability. As components of a distributed system can run on different machines or in different locations, it’s possible to add more resources to the system as the load increases, which makes the application more scalable. Additionally, the system’s distributed nature allows the application to continue functioning even if one or more components fail, which increases the application’s fault tolerance.
However, distributed applications can be more complex to develop, test, and maintain than traditional monolithic applications. They also require more expertise to design and implement, making it more difficult to troubleshoot and debug.
Also, See: Standalone Applications