On the newer Honda Civic 01 - 03 and the rest of the newer cars like s2000, 00 - 03 Accord, 00 - 03 CRV, MDX, Odyssey, Pilot (which is based on the MDX platform), and the Element (which is based on the newer CRV platform) are now direct ignition. Meaning that there are no more distributor (cap and rotor) but rather a coil over each spark. This is called direct-ignition. So when you perform a DIY tune-up, all you have to buy are spark plugs prefably platinum spark plugs. DIS systems like Viper, Dodge Neon, and others, have a coil pack which consist of ignition coils. (Look at Electromotive Engine Management for a picture of a coil pack). DIS system have what they call a "wasted spark.". Like for instance, on a four cylinder Dogde Neon, lets say that cylinder #1 is at the power stroke and the spark plug fires, cylinder #4 will be at its exhaust stroke and the spark plug will also fire at the same time. Since the spark plug fires on the companion cylinder (which is cylinder #4) when its on the exhaust stroke, this is what they call a "waste spark" because the spark plug is not igniting or burning anything.

Hondas on the other hand do not have a "waste spark." The direct ignition still operates like the older Civics except they do not have a distributor to deliver all of the spark but rather receives a signel when to fire from the crankshaft position sensor and the ECM/PCM. (ECM is the computer used for manual transmission vehicles. It stands for Electronic Control Module. PCM is also the computer and it is used for automatic transmission vehicles. It stands for Powertrain Control Module).

The advantage with the direct ignition is that all spark plugs has a dedicated coil which can deliver the maximum voltage to ensure that the air/furl mixture entering the combustion camber will burn regardless if its lean. That's why Hondas have such low emission readings and high mileage because they can lean out the air/fuel mixture. With a distributor, all spark plugs have to share one ignition coil. (Remeber that the leaner the car, the less fuel there is entering the combustion camber. Less fuel means that the spark plug will need to receive a large amount of spark from the coil to burn the leaner mixture).

On a distributor, the faster the engine runs/revs the faster the coil has to work inorder to distribute a large spark to all of the spark plugs. Most often times, it will not be able to keep up with the engine speed so the spark going to the spark plugs gets weaker. That is why there are companies out there like MSD, Accel, Crane Cams, etc. who manufacture aftermarket ignition systems that can quickly generate a large spark.

Hopefully this will make sense to you. I kinda don't want to add anything more because it'll just confuse you.