Distributed or Parallel Computing? Let's Break it Down Like a KitKat Bar
Tags: distributedsystems, beginners, inthirtyseconds
Published: 2023-04-21 19:18:22

When it comes to distributed systems, we're faced with two options: distributed computing and parallel computing. It's a bit like a KitKat bar - do we go for the classic four-fingered format or the chunky KitKat? In this post, we'll dive into the differences between the two approaches and explore some use case examples.

## Distributed Computing - The Classic Four-Fingered Format

Just like a classic KitKat bar, distributed computing breaks down a large problem into smaller, more manageable pieces. These pieces are then distributed across a network of computers, each working on its own part of the puzzle. Distributed computing is great for large datasets that are geographically distributed, just like how a KitKat bar can be shared with friends across the globe.
### Pros:
**Scalability**: Distributed computing allows us to scale our computing resources to meet the needs of large datasets or complex algorithms.

**Fault Tolerance**: Distributed systems are more fault-tolerant than single-computer systems because if one node fails, the others can continue working.

**Geographically Distributed**: Distributed computing can be used to process data that is geographically distributed, just like how a KitKat bar can be enjoyed by people all over the world.
### Cons:
**Communication Overhead**: The communication between nodes in a distributed system can be slow, especially if the nodes are geographically distributed.

**Complexity**: Building a distributed system can be complex, and it requires specialized knowledge of distributed systems and network protocols.
### Use Case Examples:
**Google's Search Engine**: Google uses a distributed computing model to index and search the web. The company uses thousands of computers to process search queries and store the index of web pages.

**Apache Hadoop**: Hadoop is an open-source distributed computing framework that is widely used in big data processing. It allows users to store and process large amounts of data across many computers.
## Parallel Computing - The Chunky KitKat
Parallel computing is a bit like a chunky KitKat - a single computer performs multiple tasks simultaneously, just like how the chunky KitKat has multiple layers of chocolate. Parallel computing is achieved by breaking down a large task into smaller sub-tasks that can be executed in parallel.
### Pros:
**Speed**: Parallel computing can be much faster than sequential computing because it can execute multiple tasks simultaneously.

**Lower Communication Overhead**: In a parallel computing model, the communication between tasks is usually much faster than in a distributed computing model.

**Simplicity**: Parallel computing is simpler than distributed computing because it doesn't require a network of computers.
### Cons:
**Limited scalability**: Parallel computing is limited by the number of processing cores available on a single computer.

**Synchronization Overhead**: In a parallel computing model, tasks must be synchronized, which can introduce overhead.
### Use Case Examples:
**Image Processing**: Image processing applications can use parallel computing to speed up image filtering, transformation, and other operations.

**Weather Forecasting**: Weather forecasting models require complex calculations and simulations, which can be accelerated by parallel computing.

Just like with a KitKat bar, the choice between distributed and parallel computing depends on your preference and the situation at hand. Distributed computing is like the classic four-fingered KitKat - great for sharing and handling large, geographically distributed datasets. Parallel computing, on the other hand, is like the chunky KitKat - perfect for those who want a fast, simple solution. As data processing and analysis becomes increasingly important, both distributed and parallel computing will have their place in the technological world.