What is Cloud Computing? A Beginner's Guide
What is Cloud Computing? A Beginner's Guide In today's digital age, the term 'cloud computing' is everywhere, but what does it actually mean? Simply put, cloud computing is the delivery of computing services—including data storage, servers, databases, networking, and software—over the internet, otherwise known as 'the cloud.' How Does Cloud Computing Work? Instead of keeping files on your own computer's hard drive or a physical server in your office, cloud computing allows you to save them to a remote database. As long as you have an electronic device with internet access, you have access to the data and the software programs needed to run it. It shifts the burden of hardware maintenance and software updates away from the user. Main Types of Cloud Services Most cloud computing services fall into three main categories, often referred to as the cloud computing stack: Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): The most flexible category, renting IT infrastructure lik...