Before we enter into the basic terminologies that are frequently used in a cloud computing industry, we will first find out how this industry got its name Cloud computing. The concept of cloud computing dates all the way back to the 1960s. This phrase evolved from the cloud symbol used by flow-charts and diagrams to symbolize the internet.

What actually is computing then? Computing, in the layman's term is the process of using computer technology to complete any given goal-oriented task.

So when we combine these two phrases together we get a complete definition about cloud computing. It is simply a technology that allows users to access computing resources such as servers, storage, and applications over the internet. These resources are provided by third party providers, known as cloud service providers, who manages the insfrastructure and make it available to users on a pay-per-use or subscription basis.

The terminologies that you will be using frequently in this field are discussed below :

IaaS (Infrastructure as a service)

PaaS (Platform as a service)

SaaS (Software as a service)

IaaS, PaaS and SaaS are the three most popular types of cloud service offerings. They are sometimes referred to as cloud service models. These are based mainly around how much control and responsibilty you have over how the service is configured.

With IaaS, you manage the server, which can be physical or virtual and the operating system (Microsoft or linux) for instance. In general, the data center provider has no access to your server. Examples are : Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud etc.

With PaaS, someone else manages the underlying hardware and operating systems. You can run applications without managing underlying infrastructure (for eg. patching, updates, maintenance). Examples are : Heroku, Slack, AWS Elastic Beanstalk etc.

With SaaS, you manage your files while the service provider manages all the data centers, servers, networks, storage, maintenance and patching. You handle only the software and how you want to use it. Examples are : Shopify, Gmail, Google workspace.

Public Cloud

This is the type of cloud computing where the resources are shared among multiple users, and the infrastructure is managed by the Cloud Service Provider. These are the services that don't require high levels of security or customization.

Private Cloud

This is the type of cloud computing where the infrastructure is dedicated to a single organization and is generally hosted on-premises or in dedicated data centers. Private Cloud is generally used by organizations that require high levels of security or customization.

Hybrid Cloud

This is the mixture of Private and Public Clouds which combines elements of both the clouds. In Cloud Hybrid, some resources are hosted in a public cloud, while others are hosted in a private cloud. This can be useful for organizaitons that requires to balance security, cost and scalability requirements.

By understanding these key concepts and terminologies, you can begin to explore the world of cloud computing and understand how it can be used to solve business problems and improve efficiency.