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A Distributed Database is a database that consists of two or more files located on different sites either on the same network or on entirely different networks. Portions of the database are stored in multiple physical locations and processing is distributed among multiple database nodes.

A centralized distributed database management system (DDBMS) integrates data logically so it can be managed as if it were all stored in the same location. The DDBMS synchronizes all the data periodically and ensures that data updates and deletes performed at one location will be automatically reflected in the data stored elsewhere.

By contrast, a centralized database consists of a single database file located at one site using a single network.

Source: https://www.techtarget.com/searchoracle/definition/distributed-database