A distributed ledger is a database that is spread across multiple computers or nodes in a network, where each node has a copy of the ledger and participates in the validation and updating of transactions. This makes it decentralized and more secure, as there is no single point of failure. Transactions are validated through consensus algorithms.
For example, blockchain technology is a type of distributed ledger where each block contains a list of transactions, and once a block is added to the chain, it cannot be altered without consensus from the network.
On the other hand, a centralized ledger is a database that is controlled by a single entity or organization. All transactions are processed and recorded by this central authority, which can make it faster but also more vulnerable to hacking or manipulation since there is a single point of control.
For instance, traditional banking systems often use centralized ledgers where all transactions are managed by the bank's central servers.
In the context of cloud services, Tencent Cloud offers solutions that can support both distributed and centralized ledger technologies, providing flexibility and security for various business needs.