what is the definition of "Distributed Application"?

Is this simply an app that gets sold or is it a programming term to mean something else?

Distributed Applications are applications that allow multiple computers to work on different parts of the same problem. The server breaks up the problem into work units which are then calculated by machines all across a network. When the machines are done with the work, they send the information back to the host computer who then compiles all of the information.

They are used to work on problems that take a long time for a single computer to do and that lend themselves to being broken up.

SETI @ Home is an example of a distributed application. There are also versions out there that try and do some of the RSA challenges.

ok, that helps :)

in a business role, what would be so large that one computer couldn't handle it alone? I can't really fathom that idea. Im used to working with standalone apps since Im still in the infancy of my career. :) lol

Many computer graphics applications are done as distributed apps. Places such as Pixar have farms of computers that spend all of their time rendering frames for a movie.

I'm sure there are examples in the business world, but I can't think of anything off the top of my head.