Distributed computing always follows a client-server architecture. Group of answer choices True False
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer: False
Distributed computing does not always follow a client-server architecture. While the client-server model is one of the most common architectural styles used in distributed systems, it is not the only one. Distributed computing simply refers to a system in which components located on different networked computers communicate and coordinate their actions by passing messages. This can happen in various architectures.
In the client-server model, one or more clients request services and resources from a centralized server. This model is straightforward and widely used in web applications and network services. The server manages resources and provides services like file storage, database access, or processing tasks, while the client sends requests and receives responses.
However, distributed computing can also take the form of peer-to-peer (P2P) architecture, where every node can act both as a client and as a server. In this model, there is no central server. Instead, each participant (or peer) shares a portion of its own resources with others. Examples of P2P systems include file-sharing networks like BitTorrent or decentralized blockchain networks such as Bitcoin and Ethereum.
Other forms of distributed computing architectures include multi-tier architectures, microservices, and grid computing. In grid computing, resources are shared across multiple systems to solve large-scale problems. Similarly, in cloud computing, distributed resources are abstracted and offered as services over the internet.
The key feature of distributed computing is the distribution of computational tasks across multiple machines to achieve greater efficiency, scalability, or fault tolerance. Therefore, while the client-server model is an important and frequently used structure, distributed computing can and often does occur in many other forms that do not follow this model.