What is abstract?

Cloud computing is a way of delivering computing services-like storage, databases, servers, networking, software, and analytics-over the internet instead of having to own and manage physical hardware yourself. Think of it as renting a computer that lives somewhere else, and you can use it whenever you need it, from any device with an internet connection.

Let's break it down

  • Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): You rent virtual machines, storage, and networks. It’s like leasing a blank computer that you can install any software on.
  • Platform as a Service (PaaS): The provider gives you a ready‑to‑use platform (operating system, runtime, database) so you can focus just on writing your application code.
  • Software as a Service (SaaS): You use complete applications (email, CRM, office tools) that run in the cloud, accessed through a web browser.
  • Public, Private, and Hybrid Clouds: Public clouds are shared with many users, private clouds are dedicated to one organization, and hybrid clouds combine both for flexibility.

Why does it matter?

  • Cost Savings: You only pay for what you use, avoiding large upfront hardware purchases.
  • Scalability: Resources can be increased or decreased instantly to match demand, preventing downtime or wasted capacity.
  • Accessibility: Work from anywhere, on any device, as long as you have internet.
  • Focus on Core Business: Companies can spend time on their products instead of maintaining servers.

Where is it used?

  • Websites and Apps: Hosting everything from small blogs to massive social networks.
  • Data Backup and Recovery: Storing copies of important files safely off‑site.
  • Big Data & Analytics: Processing huge data sets with powerful cloud‑based tools.
  • Internet of Things (IoT): Collecting and analyzing data from connected devices.
  • Development & Testing: Quickly spin up environments for developers without buying hardware.

Good things about it

  • Flexibility: Add or remove resources with a few clicks.
  • Reliability: Major providers have multiple data centers, offering high uptime.
  • Speed to Market: Launch services faster because the infrastructure is ready to use.
  • Security Updates: Providers handle patches and security upgrades for the underlying hardware and software.

Not-so-good things

  • Ongoing Costs: Pay‑as‑you‑go can become expensive if resources aren’t monitored.
  • Internet Dependence: Without a stable connection, you lose access to your services.
  • Data Privacy Concerns: Storing sensitive data off‑site may raise compliance and security questions.
  • Vendor Lock‑in: Moving workloads to another provider can be complex and costly.