What is cooperative processing?

Cooperative processing refers to a system in which multiple computers work together to share an end user's application. This approach allows tasks to be distributed across various networked systems, enhancing the efficiency of computational processes and resource utilization. By collaborating, these computers can run complex applications more effectively than a single machine might be able to do alone, leading to improved performance, load balancing, and sometimes shared access to data or transactions.

This concept is particularly relevant in environments that require high availability and scalability, such as cloud computing and networked applications, where resource sharing can significantly improve response times and accommodate more users. The other options do not align with the principle of cooperative processing; for instance, individual program installation focuses on single-user setups, enhancing data security pertains to protecting information integrity, and improving manufacturing efficiency relates to production processes rather than computing resource sharing.