Distributed application

Distributed Applications are applications running on two or more machines in a network.

Introduction

Where classic software systems of the past century were mostly based on Client–server models and Client-centric application development, both ultimately run on one single computer, be it the client computer or the server.
With the introduction of Intelligent agents, Web APIs and Web 2.0 and the emergence of Cloud computing more and more "multiple machine" approaches emerge, where many systems on several locations can take care of Load balancing (computing) by re-distribution of specific tasks, or where each of these machines serves a specific purpose or task.

Examples

Distributed Applications can include:

1. Distributed systems using general purpose and specialized APIs
2. Real time systems for data-input by people – Like HelpDesk software and Client Service Software taking care of appointments and updates on Client Data
3. Hardware systems like "the Internet of Things" - With independent components capable of processing specific tasks while communicating to other parts via a network
4. Render and computation farms – To render 3D images and do calculations on large datasets and process complex data in general

See also

• Observer pattern
• Push technology
• Pull technology
• Multitier architecture
• Internet of Things
• Cloud computing