Source : Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing

distributed system
     
        A collection of (probably heterogeneous) automata whose
        distribution is transparent to the user so that the system
        appears as one local machine.  This is in contrast to a
        network, where the user is aware that there are several
        machines, and their location, storage replication, load
        balancing and functionality is not transparent.  Distributed
        systems usually use some kind of {client-server} organisation.
     
        Distributed systems are considered by some to be the "next
        wave" of computing.
     
        {Distributed Computing Environment} is the {Open Software
        Foundation}'s software architecture for distributed systems.
     
        {(http://www.dstc.edu.au/AU/research_news/dist-env.html)}.
     
        (1994-12-06)