The Curious Case of Distributed Systems and Continuous Computing

O ften times, when I teach topics related to computer and network systems, I am asked about the origins of distributed systems. It is a difficult question to answer. Also difficult are answers about the origins of cloud computing or definitions of the grid, cloud computing, or the Internet of Things. This article is certainly not an attempt (or is it?) to stir up the already hot discussion, but is rather an effort to provide some perspective to the core questions resonating with distributed systems. However, it is certainly a curious case of continuously revisiting older concepts with every progress made in distributed systems.