Distribution may refer to:

Mathematics

Distribution (mathematics) Distributions, also known as Schwartz distributions or generalized functions, are objects that generalize the classical notion of functions in mathematical analysis. Distributions make it possible to differentiate functions whose derivatives d ...

, generalized functions used to formulate solutions of partial differential equations *

Probability distribution In probability theory and statistics, a probability distribution is the mathematical function that gives the probabilities of occurrence of different possible outcomes for an experiment. It is a mathematical description of a random phenomenon i ...

, the probability of a particular value or value range of a variable **

Cumulative distribution function In probability theory and statistics, the cumulative distribution function (CDF) of a real-valued random variable X, or just distribution function of X, evaluated at x, is the probability that X will take a value less than or equal to x. Ev ...

, in which the probability of being no greater than a particular value is a function of that value * Frequency distribution, a list of the values recorded in a sample *

Inner distribution In coding theory, the weight enumerator polynomial of a binary linear code specifies the number of words of each possible Hamming weight. Let C \subset \mathbb_2^n be a binary linear code length n. The weight distribution is the sequence of numb ...

, and

outer distribution In coding theory, the weight enumerator polynomial of a binary linear code specifies the number of words of each possible Hamming weight. Let C \subset \mathbb_2^n be a binary linear code length n. The weight distribution is the sequence of numb ...

, in coding theory *

Distribution (differential geometry) In differential geometry, a discipline within mathematics, a distribution on a manifold M is an assignment x \mapsto \Delta_x \subseteq T_x M of vector subspaces satisfying certain properties. In the most common situations, a distribution is asked ...

, a subset of the tangent bundle of a manifold *

Distributed parameter system In control theory, a distributed-parameter system (as opposed to a lumped-parameter system) is a system whose state space is infinite-dimensional. Such systems are therefore also known as infinite-dimensional systems. Typical examples are system ...

, systems that have an infinite-dimensional state-space * Distribution of terms, a situation in which all members of a category are accounted for * Distributivity, a property of binary operations that generalises the distributive law from elementary algebra *

Distribution (number theory) In algebra and number theory, a distribution is a function on a system of finite sets into an abelian group which is analogous to an integral: it is thus the algebraic analogue of a distribution (mathematics), distribution in the sense of generalise ...

*Distribution problems, a common type of problems in combinatorics where the goal is to enumerate the number of possible distributions of objects to recipients, subject to various conditions; see Twelvefold way

Computing and telecommunications

* Distribution (concurrency), the projection operator in a history monoid, a representation of the histories of concurrent computer processes *

Data distribution To disseminate (from lat. ''disseminare'' "scattering seeds"), in the field of communication, is to broadcast a message to the public without direct feedback from the audience. Meaning Dissemination takes on the theory of the traditional view ...

or dissemination, to distribute information without direct feedback * Digital distribution, publishing media digitally *

Distributed computing A distributed system is a system whose components are located on different computer network, networked computers, which communicate and coordinate their actions by message passing, passing messages to one another from any system. Distributed com ...

, the coordinated use of physically distributed computers (distributed systems) for tasks or storage *

Electronic brakeforce distribution Electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD or EBFD) or electronic brakeforce limitation (EBL) is an automobile brake technology that automatically varies the amount of force applied to each of a vehicle's wheels, based on road conditions, speed, lo ...

, an automotive technology that varies brake force based on prevailing conditions *

Key distribution center {{cleanup, date=November 2011 In cryptography, a key distribution center (KDC) is part of a cryptosystem intended to reduce the risks inherent in exchanging keys. KDCs often operate in systems within which some users may have permission to use cer ...

, part of a cryptosystem intended to reduce the risks inherent in exchanging keys *

Software distribution Software distribution is the process of delivering software to the end user. A distro is a collection of software components built, assembled and configured so that it can essentially be used "as is". It is often the closest thing to turnkey form ...

, bundles of a specific software already compiled and configured **A specific packaging of an operating system containing a kernel, toolchain, utilities and other software ***

Linux distribution A Linux distribution (often abbreviated as distro) is an operating system made from a software collection that includes the Linux kernel and, often, a package management system. Linux users usually obtain their operating system by downloading one ...

, one of several distributions built on the Linux kernel

Natural sciences

Distribution (pharmacology) Distribution in pharmacology is a branch of pharmacokinetics which describes the reversible transfer of a drug from one location to another within the body. Once a drug enters into systemic circulation by absorption or direct administration, it m ...

, the movement of a drug from one location to another within the body *

Species distribution Species distribution —or species dispersion — is the manner in which a biological taxon is spatially arranged. The geographic limits of a particular taxon's distribution is its range, often represented as shaded areas on a map. Patterns of ...

, the manner in which a species is spatially arranged **

Cosmopolitan distribution In biogeography, cosmopolitan distribution is the term for the range of a taxon that extends across all or most of the world in appropriate habitats. Such a taxon, usually a species, is said to exhibit cosmopolitanism or cosmopolitism. The ext ...

, in which a species appears in appropriate environments around the world *

Spectral power distribution In radiometry, photometry, and color science, a spectral power distribution (SPD) measurement describes the power per unit area per unit wavelength of an illumination (radiant exitance). More generally, the term ''spectral power distribution'' ...

of light sources

Economics

Distribution (economics) In economics, distribution is the way total output, income, or wealth is distributed among individuals or among the factors of production (such as labour, land, and capital). In general theory and in for example the U.S. National Income and Prod ...

, distribution of income or output among individuals or factors of production (or to help others) **''Distribution in kind'', concerning the transfer of non-cash assets by a company to a shareholder, see

Companies Act 2006 The Companies Act 2006 (c 46) is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom which forms the primary source of UK company law. The Act was brought into force in stages, with the final provision being commenced on 1 October 2009. It largely ...

Distribution (marketing) Distribution (or place) is one of the four elements of the marketing mix. Distribution is the process of making a product or service available for the consumer or business user who needs it. This can be done directly by the producer or service p ...

, or ''place'', one of the four elements of marketing mix **

Distribution resource planning {{Business logistics Distribution resource planning (DRP) is a method used in business administration for planning orders within a supply chain. DRP enables the user to set certain inventory control parameters (like a safety stock) and calculate ...

, method used in business administration for planning orders within a supply chain *

Distributionism Distributism is an economic theory asserting that the world's productive assets should be widely owned rather than concentrated. Developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, distributism was based upon Catholic social teaching prin ...

, an economic ideology *

Distribution of wealth The distribution of wealth is a comparison of the wealth of various members or groups in a society. It shows one aspect of economic inequality or economic heterogeneity. The distribution of wealth differs from the income distribution in that ...

, among members in a society *

Division of property Division of property, also known as equitable distribution, is a judicial division of property rights and obligations between spouses during divorce. It may be done by agreement, through a property settlement, or by judicial decree. Distributio ...

, or ''equitable distribution'', of property between spouses during divorce *

Food distribution Food distribution is the process where a general population is supplied with food. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) considers food distribution as a subset of the food system. The process and methodology behind food distribution varies ...

, methods of transporting food * Drug distribution, methods by which medication goes from manufacturer to consumer

Other sciences

* Electric power distribution, the final stage in the delivery of electricity * Distributed generation, the use of technologies to provide electric power at the source of consumption *

Distributed production Distributed manufacturing also known as distributed production, cloud producing and local manufacturing is a form of decentralized manufacturing practiced by enterprises using a network of geographically dispersed manufacturing facilities that are ...

distributed manufacturing Distributed manufacturing also known as distributed production, cloud producing and local manufacturing is a form of decentralized manufacturing practiced by enterprises using a network of geographically dispersed manufacturing facilities that are ...

, the fabrication of products by consumers such as with 3D printing *Distribution of elements in the distributed-element model of electric circuits * Trip distribution, part of the four-step transportation forecasting model *The distribution of a linguistic element is the set of environments in which it occurs, which may be in complementary distribution, contrastive distribution, or free variation with another such element, and which is the basis of distributional semantics

Other uses

* Film distribution, the process of making a movie available for the audiences to watch *

Film distributor A film distributor is responsible for the Film promotion, marketing of a film. The distribution company may be the same with, or different from, the production company. Distribution deals are an important part of financing a film. The distributo ...

, an agent between a film producer and an exhibitor * Purse distribution, in a horse race, the distribution of winnings among the highest finishers *

Record distribution The music industry consists of the individuals and organizations that earn money by writing songs and musical compositions, creating and selling recorded music and sheet music, presenting concerts, as well as the organizations that aid, train ...

, process of shipping and promoting record labels *

Font distribution The units in which metal type is sold, containing relative proportions of letters appropriate for a given language Language is a structured system of communication. The structure of a language is its grammar and the free components are its ...

, the units in which metal type is sold, containing relative proportions of letters appropriate for a given language *

Distribution (bridge) These terms are used in contract bridge, using duplicate or rubber scoring. Some of them are also used in whist, bid whist, the obsolete game auction bridge, and other trick-taking games. This glossary supplements the Glossary of card game terms. ...