In very basic terms, it's when a someone rents their computer (or parts of it) to another one over the Internet. "Cloud" comes from the inability to physically see or interact with the resources one is using over the Internet, either because they are hidden somewhere amid other massive computers, or because they are virtualized (simulated).
No. Its major advancements and its terminology might be new, but its main parts have been present since the 1960s. Thanks to the Internet, cloud computing's most unique feature is its accessibility. It also fixes scalability issues and reduces overpaying for unused services, which provides a major economic benefit for organizations and individuals.
They are IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS. IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service) is the most complicated yet most flexible cloud computing option available for renting. It offers direct access to routers for networking and computers (virtual or dedicated) to give more control to end users. PaaS (Platform as a Service) removes the direct control over resources in favor of reducing resources scalability management and capacity planning. It just focuses on giving the user a platform on which they can deploy their applications. Lastly, SaaS (Software as a Service) is the most accessible part and, at the same time, the part with the least amount of control options available. It offers ready-to-use software that is completely maintained by the vendor, such as web-based email clients or cloud office apps.
1. Education: Cloud computing was mostly helpful during distance learning back when COVID-19 was spreading. It enabled students and teachers to organize their work online and connect with each other as if they were in a real class.
2. E-Governance: Cloud computing reduced the need for governments to maintain and manage installments and buildings by allowing them to offer most of their services online, which also reduced costs and made government services more convenient and accessible for citizens and residents.
3. Healthcare: In healthcare, cloud computing helped create a more secure environment to store and access data. It also gave easier access for patients to find and schedule appointments with doctors with a couple of button presses.
It's a service model. It involves renting computing resources like storage, networking, or processing to a customer; that customer can be either a business or an individual, since most cloud computing companies offer their services to both. They provide the resources and ensure their safety and maintenance, while charging only what the customer is using. That way, they provide scalability and flexibility solutions to many businesses, especially startups.