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Chances are you've heard of "clouds" or probably read about it in an article. The cloud we are talking about in this article is completely different from the one hanging meters above the earth in the sky. The clouds here refer to the internet. Now, when you hear of "cloud computing", what comes to your mind? We are just about to find out in this article if cloud computing is really what you think it is.



### What Is Cloud Computing?

Cloud computing is all about the availability and delivery of different computing services such as storage, servers, databases, software analytics, networking, and intelligence through the internet. Cloud computing became an option for businesses in the 1960s when Joseph Carl Robnett Licklider, an American psychologist, and computer scientist invented cloud computing to aid easy connection with people and data from anywhere.


As the name implies, cloud computing makes information remotely accessible by storing them in the cloud. There are several cloud companies that offer various cloud services to enable people to save files and applications in virtual spaces and remote servers, and they can always access this information anytime using the internet.



Practically everyone is familiar with losing important files that were never recovered perhaps because the files on which they were stored suddenly crash without prior notice, or the local storage device or proprietary hard drive got stolen or missing but cloud computing is poised to completely change that. Instead of storing files on hardware, cloud-based storage poses the best alternative to proprietary devices, making it possible to have files saved in a remote virtual database. This way, important data can't go missing. All you need to recover files from the cloud is no more than an electronic device with strong access to the web, access to the data to be recovered, the appropriate software programs to get it done.


Cloud computing eliminates the need for carrying storage devices. It proposes vast cyberspace of computers that can help secure your data. The internet becomes the cloud that houses information and days, as well as applications, that can be accessed provided you are connected to the internet, irrespective of what part of the globe you find yourself.

Cloud computing is of different types. It can be public, private, or hybrid. The former offers cloud services over the internet for a certain amount of money while the latter provides cloud services only to a specific group of people. These services comprise a system of networks that provide hosted services. A combination of both elements of the public and private cloud services called the hybrid option is also available.

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<center><sup>source: [pxhere](https://pxhere.com/en/photo/1449121)</sup></center>

### Categories Of Cloud Services 

Commonly called the cloud computing stack, categories of cloud computing fall under four divisions including:


#### IaaS (Infrastructure-as-a-Service)

IaaS is believed to be the fundamental platform that supports the birth of novel technologies. Infrastructure as a Service comprises the most essential building elements for cloud infrastructure. IaaS provides services like physical and virtual IT infrastructure rentals and several networking features. It works majorly on a pay-as-you-go model.

 

#### PaaS (Platform-as-a-Service)


Platform-as-a-service talks about the supply of on-demand equipment needed to develop, test, provide, and manage software applications. This category of cloud computing offers a framework for software and IT, developers, to design bite web and mobile applications that can be accessed irrespective of the setting it underlying framework of the network and databases as well as the servers and storages necessary for development.



#### SaaS (Software-as-a-Service)

SaaS is the basic method used to deliver on-demand software applications via the cloud upon every subscription. A CSP governs the cloud infrastructure and provides SaaS applications over the clouds to users that can be accessed via a browser. These applications are also available on many devices and are scalable from anywhere.



#### FaaS (Function-as-a-Service)

Functions as a Service (FaaS) is a category of cloud computing designed to support platform-as-a-service as another layer of abstraction so that software developers operate totally disconnected from any category below their code. Function as a service is the idea behind serverless computing.

Developers with FaaS wouldn't need to go through virtual servers or the hassles of application runtimes. They upload just functional blocks of code and program them to be activated by a certain occurrence. Function-as-a-service reduces users' cost as it requires no Infrastructure-as-a-service resources until an occurrence takes place.



#### Uses And Benefits Of Cloud Computing 

Cloud computing is proving its importance in the world of virtual services. Asides from storing files and preventing permanent loss, cloud computing supports environmental proactivity, boosts virtual services and energy efficiency. The technology cuts down costs as it reduces the need for expensive hardware and computing resources can be provided in minutes due to the speed of the virtual space. It is reliable and completely secured both from permanent loss and unauthorized invasion. 


Cloud computing is widely used by practically everyone. You are probably using cloud computing right now. Cloud computing can be used to create and access applications, store, backup, and recover data, deliver software on-demand, stream videos, and audios online, and other use cases.

#### References

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/overview/what-is-cloud-computing/
https://www.leadingedgetech.co.uk/it-services/it-consultancy-services/cloud-computing/what-are-the-types-of-cloud-computing/
https://www.vxchnge.com/blog/different-types-of-cloud-computing
https://www.zdnet.com/article/what-is-cloud-computing-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-cloud/

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