distributed algorithm
nounUK /dɪˈstrɪbjuːtɪd ˈælɡərɪðəm/
US /dɪˈstrɪbjuːtɪd ˈælɡərɪðəm/
A set of steps that many computers follow together to solve one problem.
The team used a distributed algorithm so all the computers could share the work of sorting the data.
OTHER MEANINGS
2. A procedure in which no single machine has all the information and nodes coordinate by exchanging messages.
Leader election in a cluster is handled by a distributed algorithm.
3. A method for coordinating tasks across multiple networked processors to achieve a common goal.
The blockchain relies on a distributed algorithm to agree on the next block.
4. An algorithm designed to tolerate failures of individual components while still completing its task.
Even after two servers crashed, the distributed algorithm kept the service running.