Introduction to Cloud Computing
Cloud computing delivers servers, storage, databases and networking over the internet on a pay-as-you-go basis. Learn the service models, deployment models and core benefits.
What Is Cloud Computing?
Cloud computing means renting computing resources from a provider instead of buying and operating your own hardware. You request what you need through an API or console, use it immediately, and pay only for what you consume.
The three largest providers are AWS, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud Platform (GCP). They all share the same core ideas, so skills transfer easily between them.
Service Models: IaaS, PaaS, SaaS
The service model describes how much of the stack the provider manages for you:
- IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service) — Virtual machines, storage and networks. You manage the OS and everything above it. Example: Amazon EC2.
- PaaS (Platform as a Service) — You deploy code; the provider manages runtime, scaling and patching. Example: AWS Elastic Beanstalk, Google App Engine.
- SaaS (Software as a Service) — Finished applications used through a browser. Example: Gmail, Slack, Salesforce.
- FaaS (Function as a Service) — Run individual functions on demand. Example: AWS Lambda.
Deployment Models
Where the infrastructure runs determines control, cost and compliance options:
- Public cloud — Shared infrastructure owned by the provider; fastest to start.
- Private cloud — Dedicated infrastructure for a single organization.
- Hybrid cloud — A mix of on-premises and public cloud connected together.
- Multi-cloud — Using more than one public provider to avoid lock-in or use best-of-breed services.
Provisioning Your First Resource
Everything in the cloud is an API call. This Python script uses the AWS SDK (boto3) to create a storage bucket and upload a file:
import boto3
s3 = boto3.client("s3", region_name="us-east-1")
bucket = "my-first-cloud-bucket-12345"
s3.create_bucket(Bucket=bucket)
s3.put_object(
Bucket=bucket,
Key="hello.txt",
Body=b"Hello from the cloud!",
)
response = s3.list_objects_v2(Bucket=bucket)
for obj in response.get("Contents", []):
print(obj["Key"], obj["Size"], "bytes")Key Benefits and Trade-offs
Cloud adoption is driven by clear advantages, but it is not free of trade-offs:
- Elasticity — Scale up for traffic spikes and down when idle.
- Speed — Provision infrastructure in minutes instead of weeks.
- Global reach — Deploy close to users in dozens of regions.
- Cost model — Shift from capital expense to operating expense, but unmanaged usage can become expensive.
- Shared responsibility — The provider secures the cloud; you secure what you put in it.
Key Takeaways
- IaaS, PaaS and SaaS differ in how much the provider manages for you.
- Public, private, hybrid and multi-cloud describe where and how infrastructure runs.
- Every cloud resource can be created and managed through an API or SDK.
- Security is a shared responsibility between provider and customer.
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