Advantages And Disadvantages Of Distributed Software Engineering

Distributed Software Engineering Distributed systems are grouping of computers linked through a network that uses software to coordinate their resources to complete a given task. The majority of computer systems in use today are distributed systems. There are limited uses for a singular software application running on an unconnected individual hardware device. A perfect distributed system would appear to be a single unit. However, this ideal system is not practical in real world application due to many environmental components. There are many attributes to consider when designing and implementing distributed systems. Distributed Software Engineering is the implementation of all aspects of software production in the creation of a distributed

The goal of a distributed system is for the user to experience their interaction with the system as if it was a single system. However, it can be advantageous to disclose to the user that they are using a distributed system. For example, a user may be more forgiving for latency in a program if they understand the information must travel a long distance over the network to be processed and then return with the requested solution. This idea is called transparency, the revealing to the user some of the inner workings of the system. Openness was mentioned as an advantage of distributed systems which is true in the context of universally used internet protocols. Many applications and higher level programs have specific interoperability that does not allow for ease of communication between components. Another attribute also listed in the advantages of distributed systems that contains polarity in that context is the systems scalability. While the ability to increase a systems ability to meet demands is positive the carrying out of that task can be in creditably costly, complex, and difficult. If the system needs more processing power it may be conceptually easy to purchase more servers or rent more instances from a provider yet these actions can be extremely costly. Next is the issue of security. With distributed systems many of the different elements of the system are managed by different companies. This lack of continuity means security measures may be weaker in a particular component of the system but with a difficult task of providing proof since lack of access to the differently owned component. The transmission of information also most likely takes place over the open internet. This leaves the data exposed to security threats during entry, exit, and on its journey through the network. The quality of service able to be