Cloud computing is the use of various services, such as software development platforms, servers, storage and software, over the internet, often referred to as the "cloud."
In general, there are three cloud computing characteristics that are common among all cloud-computing vendors.
The back-end of the application (especially hardware) is completely managed by a cloud vendor.
A user only pays for services used (memory, processing time and bandwidth, etc.).
You are probably using cloud computing right now, even if you don’t realise it. If you use an online service to send email, edit documents, watch movies or TV, listen to music, play games or store pictures and other files, it is likely that cloud computing is making it all possible behind the scenes. The first cloud computing services are barely a decade old, but already a variety of organisations—from tiny start-ups to global corporations, government agencies to non-profits—are embracing the technology for all sorts of reasons. Here are a few of the things you can do with the cloud: