What is architect?

Cloud computing is a way of delivering computing resources-like servers, storage, databases, networking, software, and analytics-over the internet instead of having them on your own personal computer or local server. Think of it as renting a fully equipped office space online: you just use what you need, when you need it, and pay only for that usage.

Let's break it down

  • Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): You get virtual machines, storage, and networks, just like raw hardware you can configure yourself.
  • Platform as a Service (PaaS): A ready‑to‑use platform (operating system, runtime, middleware) that lets you develop and run applications without managing the underlying hardware.
  • Software as a Service (SaaS): Complete applications delivered over the web (e.g., email, CRM) that you use directly through a browser.
  • Public, Private, and Hybrid Clouds: Public clouds are shared services from providers like AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud. Private clouds are dedicated to a single organization. Hybrid clouds combine both for flexibility.

Why does it matter?

  • Cost Efficiency: No need to buy expensive hardware; you pay only for what you use.
  • Scalability: Quickly add or remove resources to match demand, avoiding downtime or over‑provisioning.
  • Accessibility: Access your data and applications from anywhere with an internet connection.
  • Focus on Core Business: Let the cloud provider handle maintenance, security patches, and hardware upgrades so you can concentrate on building your product.

Where is it used?

  • Start‑ups: Launching web apps without large upfront IT costs.
  • Enterprises: Running large‑scale data processing, backup, and disaster recovery.
  • Mobile Apps: Storing user data and media in the cloud for fast sync across devices.
  • IoT (Internet of Things): Collecting and analyzing sensor data in real time.
  • Education & Research: Providing high‑performance computing resources for labs and online courses.

Good things about it

  • Flexibility: Choose the exact services you need and change them on the fly.
  • Reliability: Major providers offer high uptime guarantees and built‑in redundancy.
  • Speed to Market: Deploy applications in minutes rather than weeks or months.
  • Global Reach: Serve users worldwide with data centers located in many regions.

Not-so-good things

  • Ongoing Costs: Pay‑as‑you‑go can become expensive if resources aren’t monitored.
  • Vendor Lock‑in: Moving workloads to a different provider may be complex and costly.
  • Security Concerns: Storing data off‑site requires trust in the provider’s security practices and proper configuration on your side.
  • Internet Dependence: Without a reliable connection, access to cloud services can be disrupted.