distributed processing

distributed processing

The first term used to describe the distribution of multiple computers throughout an organization in contrast to a centralized system. Distributed processing was coined in the 1970s when minicomputers replaced terminals connected to a central mainframe.

The terms distributed processing, "distributed computing" and "decentralized processing" are used synonymously. See distributed computing and client/server.

Blockchain Processing
In the 2020s, the distributed processing term was resurrected to refer to the "distributed ledger" architecture of blockchain-based cryptocurrencies and smart contracts. See blockchain.


Less or More Fault Tolerant
Technically, a distributed processing network is more interconnected than a decentralized network and thus more resilient to single-node failure.
Copyright © 1981-2025 by The Computer Language Company Inc. All Rights reserved. THIS DEFINITION IS FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY. All other reproduction is strictly prohibited without permission from the publisher.
Mentioned in
Copyright © 2003-2025 Farlex, Inc Disclaimer
All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional.