What is Cloud Computing?

Cloud computing is the delivery of computing services-like servers, storage, databases, networking, software, and analytics-over the internet (“the cloud”) instead of using local hardware or personal devices. You pay for what you use, and the provider takes care of maintenance, upgrades, and security.

Let's break it down

  • Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): You rent virtual machines, storage, and networks. Example: Amazon EC2, Google Compute Engine.
  • Platform as a Service (PaaS): You get a ready‑to‑use platform for building and deploying apps without managing the underlying hardware. Example: Heroku, Azure App Service.
  • Software as a Service (SaaS): You use complete applications delivered over the web. Example: Gmail, Salesforce, Microsoft 365.
  • Public, Private, and Hybrid Clouds: Public clouds are shared resources from a provider; private clouds are dedicated to one organization; hybrid clouds combine both for flexibility.

Why does it matter?

  • Cost Savings: No need to buy and maintain expensive hardware; you pay only for what you use.
  • Scalability: Quickly add or remove resources to match demand, handling traffic spikes or growth effortlessly.
  • Accessibility: Work from anywhere with an internet connection, enabling remote teams and global collaboration.
  • Speed of Innovation: Developers can spin up environments instantly, test ideas, and launch products faster.

Where is it used?

  • Web and Mobile Apps: Most modern apps run on cloud servers for reliability and speed.
  • Data Storage & Backup: Services like Amazon S3 or Google Cloud Storage keep files safe and accessible.
  • Big Data & Analytics: Cloud platforms provide powerful tools to process massive datasets without on‑premise clusters.
  • Machine Learning: Training models on cloud GPUs/TPUs speeds up AI development.
  • Enterprise IT: Companies move email, CRM, and ERP systems to SaaS solutions for easier management.

Good things about it

  • Flexibility: Choose the exact services you need and adjust them on the fly.
  • Reliability: Major providers offer high uptime guarantees and automatic failover.
  • Security: Providers invest heavily in security measures, often exceeding what small businesses can afford.
  • Global Reach: Deploy services close to users worldwide for low latency.
  • Environmental Impact: Shared resources can lead to better overall energy efficiency.

Not-so-good things

  • Dependence on Internet: If your connection drops, you lose access to critical services.
  • Ongoing Costs: Pay‑as‑you‑go can become expensive if resources aren’t monitored.
  • Vendor Lock‑in: Migrating away from a provider can be complex and costly.
  • Data Privacy Concerns: Storing sensitive data off‑site raises compliance and confidentiality issues.
  • Limited Control: You rely on the provider for hardware updates, patches, and certain configurations.