Centralization
Centralization is a system design principle where control, decision-making, or data storage is concentrated in a single or limited number of points, such as a central server, authority, or location. It contrasts with decentralization, where these functions are distributed across multiple nodes or entities. This concept is widely applied in computing, networking, organizational management, and data architecture to achieve consistency, simplified management, and centralized oversight.
Developers should understand centralization when designing systems that require strict control, high reliability, or unified data management, such as in traditional client-server models, centralized databases, or corporate IT infrastructures. It is particularly useful in scenarios where security policies, compliance, or coordinated updates are critical, such as in financial systems, enterprise software, or government applications where a single source of truth is necessary.