What is the difference between parallel and distributed computing?

What is the difference between parallel and distributed computing?

Parallel computing involves multiple processors working on a single task simultaneously, while distributed computing involves multiple computers working on separate tasks that may be related.

Can you give me an example of each?

Sure! An example of parallel computing is a multi-core processor executing a complex calculation. An example of distributed computing is a network of computers processing different parts of a large dataset.

Which one is more efficient?

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

What are some real-world applications of each?

Real-world applications of parallel computing include scientific simulations and image processing, while distributed computing is used in cloud computing and large-scale data analysis.