What Is Cloud Computing and Why It Matters
Cloud computing means storing and accessing data and programs over the internet instead of your computer’s hard drive. It allows businesses and individuals to use computing resources on demand without owning physical servers.
Why Use Cloud Computing?
It saves money because you only pay for what you use. It’s flexible — you can easily scale up or down your resources. Also, it allows access from anywhere with an internet connection.
Types of Cloud Services
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Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): Renting virtual machines and storage.
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Platform as a Service (PaaS): Platforms to develop, test, and deploy apps.
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Software as a Service (SaaS): Using software hosted online, like Gmail or Netflix.
Popular Cloud Providers
Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP) dominate the market.
How Cloud Computing Helps Businesses
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Faster development and deployment.
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Reduced IT costs.
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Better disaster recovery.
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Collaboration from anywhere.
Challenges and Concerns
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Data privacy and security.
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Dependence on internet connectivity.
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Vendor lock-in (difficulty switching providers).
Getting Started
Try free tiers from cloud providers, learn basics about virtual machines and storage, and experiment by deploying simple web apps.
Summary
Cloud computing changes how we access and use technology, making it more flexible and affordable.
