Difference Between Duplication and Replication

Duplication vs Replication

Duplicate and replicate are common words in English language that confuse many because of the similarity in meanings. Replication is a word used more often to make mass copies of a product or when a virus replicates itself inside the body of human beings. Duplicate has several meanings, but it connotes the same meaning of copying or producing another copy of something. Many people think that because of similarity in meaning the two words can be used interchangeably. However, this is not correct as there are differences that will be highlighted in this article.

Duplication

To reproduce or make a copy of a thing is called duplication. A duplicate copy is considered to be exactly the same as the original. While making a manual invoice, it is common to make use of a carbon paper to produce another copy of the invoice that is called duplicate. In movies, stunts performed by a professional having looks similar to the hero of the film is referred as the duplicate of the hero.

Duplication also has a negative connotation as when one finds products that are copies of a branded product. If a product is being sold for much less than it’s MRP, people suspect it to be a duplicate and not the original.

Replication

If you look up the dictionary; the word replicate has been described as a verb meaning to make an exact copy of something. In general, the word is mostly used in biology, to refer to the act of making its own copies by a virus or bacteria inside a cell. In modern times, the process of making hundreds of copies of CDs is referred to as replication of CDs. Replication sometimes refers to reduplication as when a virus replicates itself many times.

What is the difference between Duplication and Replication?

• To make an exact copy of something is to duplicate

• The results of a scientific experiment are replicated and not duplicated

• Replication is intentional while duplication is unintentional

• Duplicate has negative connotations as an inferior quality product is deemed duplicate

• Replication connotes many copies while duplication means to double