What is the difference between parallel computing and distributed computing?

What is the difference between parallel computing and distributed computing?

Parallel computing involves multiple processors executing tasks simultaneously within a single system, while distributed computing involves multiple systems working together over a network to solve a problem.

Can you give me an example of each?

Sure! An example of parallel computing is a multi-core processor performing calculations at the same time. An example of distributed computing is a cluster of computers working together to process large datasets.

Which one is more efficient for large-scale data processing?

It depends on the task. Parallel computing is often faster for tasks that can be divided into smaller, independent tasks, while distributed computing is better for tasks that require collaboration across different systems.

Are there any specific applications where one is preferred over the other?

Yes, parallel computing is preferred in scientific simulations and image processing, while distributed computing is commonly used in cloud computing and big data analytics.