Sixth Semester · BCA 355
Distributed System Notes
A dedicated BCA World study page for this subject, aligned to the TU BCA 2025 curriculum units.
How to study this subject
For each unit, learn the definition, understand the process, practise one example, and finish by explaining the concept in your own words. Use the model questions after completing the unit notes.
Unit-by-unit notes
01
Distributed-system models, goals, architectures, and middleware
Revise the definition, components, workflow, common examples, and practical use of distributed-system models, goals, architectures, and middleware. Relate it to a small problem or case study from Distributed System.
- Define the key terms and identify the main components.
- Draw or describe the workflow, architecture, formula, or process where relevant.
- Connect the idea to a practical BCA example and revise common advantages or limitations.
02
Clocks, ordering, coordination, and distributed mutual exclusion
Revise the definition, components, workflow, common examples, and practical use of clocks, ordering, coordination, and distributed mutual exclusion. Relate it to a small problem or case study from Distributed System.
- Define the key terms and identify the main components.
- Draw or describe the workflow, architecture, formula, or process where relevant.
- Connect the idea to a practical BCA example and revise common advantages or limitations.
03
Replication, consistency, distributed transactions, and fault tolerance
Revise the definition, components, workflow, common examples, and practical use of replication, consistency, distributed transactions, and fault tolerance. Relate it to a small problem or case study from Distributed System.
- Define the key terms and identify the main components.
- Draw or describe the workflow, architecture, formula, or process where relevant.
- Connect the idea to a practical BCA example and revise common advantages or limitations.
04
Distributed storage, file systems, naming, and cloud services
Revise the definition, components, workflow, common examples, and practical use of distributed storage, file systems, naming, and cloud services. Relate it to a small problem or case study from Distributed System.
- Define the key terms and identify the main components.
- Draw or describe the workflow, architecture, formula, or process where relevant.
- Connect the idea to a practical BCA example and revise common advantages or limitations.
05
Security, scalability, and contemporary distributed applications
Revise the definition, components, workflow, common examples, and practical use of security, scalability, and contemporary distributed applications. Relate it to a small problem or case study from Distributed System.
- Define the key terms and identify the main components.
- Draw or describe the workflow, architecture, formula, or process where relevant.
- Connect the idea to a practical BCA example and revise common advantages or limitations.
Model questions for BCA 355
Short answerDefine distributed-system models, goals, architectures, and middleware and mention two important uses.
Define distributed-system models, goals, architectures, and middleware and mention two important uses. Answer using a definition, structured explanation, relevant example, and conclusion.
Long answerExplain clocks, ordering, coordination, and distributed mutual exclusion with a suitable diagram, example, or step-by-step method.
Explain clocks, ordering, coordination, and distributed mutual exclusion with a suitable diagram, example, or step-by-step method. Answer using a definition, structured explanation, relevant example, and conclusion.
Practical / applicationApply replication, consistency, distributed transactions, and fault tolerance to solve a small Distributed System problem. State your assumptions and conclusion.
Apply replication, consistency, distributed transactions, and fault tolerance to solve a small Distributed System problem. State your assumptions and conclusion. Answer using a definition, structured explanation, relevant example, and conclusion.