What is responsible?

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 a local computer or in a physical data center. You “rent” what you need, when you need it, and the provider takes care of the hardware and maintenance.

Let's break it down

  • Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): You get virtual machines, storage, and networks, just like building blocks.
  • Platform as a Service (PaaS): You receive a ready‑to‑use platform for developing, testing, and deploying apps without managing the underlying hardware.
  • Software as a Service (SaaS): You use complete applications (like email or CRM) through a web browser, with everything managed by the provider.
  • Public, Private, and Hybrid Clouds: Public clouds are shared across many customers, private clouds are dedicated to one organization, and hybrid clouds combine both.

Why does it matter?

It lets individuals and businesses scale up or down quickly, pay only for what they use, and focus on their core work instead of worrying about hardware. It also speeds up innovation because developers can spin up environments in minutes rather than weeks.

Where is it used?

  • Websites and apps: Hosting front‑end and back‑end services.
  • Data storage and backup: Storing files, databases, and disaster‑recovery copies.
  • Machine learning: Providing powerful GPUs and pre‑built AI services.
  • Collaboration tools: Email, video conferencing, and office suites delivered as SaaS.
  • IoT: Collecting and processing data from millions of connected devices.

Good things about it

  • Cost‑effective: No large upfront hardware purchases.
  • Scalable: Add or remove resources instantly.
  • Accessible: Work from anywhere with an internet connection.
  • Reliability: Providers offer high uptime and automatic backups.
  • Speed: Deploy new services in minutes, not months.

Not-so-good things

  • Dependence on internet: If your connection drops, you lose access.
  • Security concerns: Storing data off‑site can raise privacy and compliance issues.
  • Potential hidden costs: Data transfer fees and premium support can add up.
  • Vendor lock‑in: Moving workloads to another provider may be complex and costly.
  • Performance variability: Shared resources can sometimes lead to slower response times.