# A Crash Course on Distributed Systems  ## Metadata - Author: [[ByteByteGo]] - Full Title: A Crash Course on Distributed Systems - Category: #articles - Summary: Distributed systems consist of multiple independent computers that collaborate to perform tasks, offering benefits like scalability, reliability, and improved performance. However, they face challenges such as communication issues, coordination difficulties, and the inevitability of failures. Techniques like failure detection and resource duplication help address these challenges and enhance system resilience. - URL: https://blog.bytebytego.com/p/a-crash-course-on-distributed-systems ## Highlights - A distributed system is a collection of computers, also known as nodes, that collaborate to perform a specific task or provide a service. These nodes are physically separate and communicate with each other by passing messages over a network. Distributed systems can span geographical boundaries, enabling them to utilize resources from different locations. [ ](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb145d610-0804-4a50-b74b-bf13cac6fb8f_1600x1005.png) ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01jn76dsh8ka0jrhz2cnxvv3zg)) - Distributed systems are ubiquitous in our daily lives. Examples include large web applications like Google Search, online banking systems, multiplayer games, etc. These systems leverage the power of multiple computers working together to provide a seamless and responsive user experience. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01jn77ja57et3mce6wc2gkh8wn)) - In parallel computing, multiple processors within a single machine perform multiple tasks simultaneously. These processors often have access to shared memory, allowing them to exchange data and efficiently coordinate their activities. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01jn77qh6dwr19z0d01kmxhs5d))