1. A computer-implemented method having at least one processor for unifying storage and distribution of data objects common to a set of user applications spread across a plurality of nodes coupled together to achieve a global data space, the method comprising: in a distribution view of the global data space, carrying out distribution operations related to the distribution of data among the nodes comprising the global data space, wherein the data objects are organized into strongly-typed named topics and the distribution operations are enabled by middleware, executing on the nodes, to coordinate communication of changes to one or more user-defined data objects, wherein each user application may function as either or both of a data publisher and data subscriber to at least one of the strongly-typed named topics, and wherein the communication of changes to one or more user-defined data objects includes the middleware communicating changes to one or more user-defined data objects on a named topic from a data publisher user application for that named topic to at least one data subscriber user application for that named topic; in a storage view of the global data space, carrying out storage operations related to the storage of data local to the nodes comprising the global data space; mapping the storage operations and the distribution operations based on properties of the operations such that a storage operation automatically causes a distribution operation and a distribution operation automatically causes a storage operation, wherein the mapping step includes mapping between an operation for database modification and an operation for data distribution such that changes to a user data-object instance in the global data space made by a particular node via a data distribution write operation are propagated into a data storage operation with respect to the particular node.