What distinguishes Distributed Systems from other computing systems?

Distributed systems are characterized by the collaboration of multiple independent components that work together to achieve a common goal. This collaborative approach allows for the distribution of tasks across different systems, which can operate in parallel and communicate with each other. This networked and cohesive nature is what sets distributed systems apart from other computing models that may have a single point of control or do not inherently involve multiple systems working together.

The essence of distributed systems lies in their ability to combine resources and share workloads, which can improve performance, enhance reliability, and provide fault tolerance. As these systems are designed to work simultaneously on tasks, they can efficiently manage larger problems that single systems might struggle to solve alone.

While other options present possibilities, they do not accurately capture the fundamental trait that makes distributed systems unique. Options discussing independence or a central control mechanism contradict the collaborative nature of distributed systems. Similarly, a fixed time schedule is not a defining characteristic, as distributed systems can operate asynchronously and be flexible in their execution timing.