What is the Difference Between Distributed Database and Centralized Database?

The main difference between a distributed database and a centralized database lies in the location and management of the data. Here are the key differences between the two:

Distributed Database:

Consists of multiple databases connected with each other and spread across different physical locations.
Data is stored, maintained, and accessed from multiple locations, making data retrieval more efficient.
Offers a faster way of retrieving data, as users can access the nearest database file.
If one database fails, users can still access the system through other files.
Data consistency may be less due to data replications.
More complex and costly to maintain compared to a centralized database.

Centralized Database:

Stored, located, and maintained at a single location only.
Data retrieval becomes more difficult due to the storage of data and information in a single location, especially when multiple users access the database.
Offers a single source of truth for sensitive data, ensuring accurate and compliant management of entities.
In case of database failure, users cannot access the database until the issue is resolved.
More data consistency compared to a distributed database.
Less efficient in terms of data retrieval speed, as all data is stored and accessed from a single location.

Some advantages of distributed databases include faster data retrieval, improved fault tolerance, and easier scalability. However, they are more complex and costly to manage compared to centralized databases. On the other hand, centralized databases offer a single source of truth for data and are easier to manage, but they may be less efficient and more vulnerable to failure.

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What is the Difference Between Distributed Database and Centralized Database?

Comparative Table: Distributed Database vs Centralized Database

Here is a table comparing the differences between a distributed database and a centralized database:

Feature	Distributed Database	Centralized Database
Definition	A set of databases stored on multiple computers, presenting as a single database to users.	A database stored, located, and maintained at a single location.
Data Storage	Data is spread across multiple physical locations.	Data is stored in one place.
Access Time	Data access time is shorter in case of multiple users.	Data access time is longer in case of multiple users.
Management	More complex and costly to manage due to data being spread across multiple locations.	Simpler and less expensive to manage since all data is stored in one place.
Backup and Recovery	Difficult to back up and recover due to distribution of data.	Easier to back up and recover since all data is stored in one place.
Scalability	Scalable and can adapt to changing data needs.	Less scalable, limited by the capacity of the single location.
Security	More secure due to distribution of data.	Less secure since all data is stored in one place.
Cost	More expensive due to the complexity of data distribution.	Cheaper compared to distributed databases.

Distributed databases offer advantages in terms of scalability, security, and data access times, but they can be more challenging and costly to manage, back up, and recover. Centralized databases, on the other hand, are simpler and less expensive to manage, but they may have limitations in terms of scalability and performance when dealing with multiple users.

Guilherme Mazui

Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.