Difference between revisions 486108822 and 486357695 on enwiki

{{merge-to|Cloud computing|discuss=Talk:Cloud computing#Introduction to Cloud computing|date=March 2012}}
{{Introductory article|Cloud computing}}
[[File:Cloud computing.svg|400px|thumb]]
The two words in the phrase ''cloud computing'' have the following interpretations:

* '''Cloud''': As a noun, this is a metaphor for the [[Internet]],<ref name=Metaphor>{{cite web|url=
http://www.reference.com/browse/cloud+computing |title=Cloud computing | publisher=Reference.com |date= 9 March 2011 |accessdate=28 February 2012}}</ref> and as an adjective it means ''pertaining to the Internet''.<ref name=Adjective>{{cite web|url= http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/cloud |title=Cloud as an adjective |publisher= Dictionary.com |date= |accessdate=28 February 2012}}</ref> This usage derives from the cloud symbols that represent the Internet on diagrams.<ref name=Metaphor/><ref name=AllPM>{{cite web|url= http://www.allpm.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=2401|title= When Project Management is Face to Face with Cloud Computing |publisher=allPM.com |date= 9 March 2011 |accessdate=28 February 2012}}</ref>
* '''Computing''': Any [[Information technology |IT]] activity carried out by an entity:
** When using "a local server or a personal computer",<ref name=OUPCC>{{cite web|url= http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/cloud+computing|title=Cloud computing |publisher=Oxford University Press |date= |accessdate=28 February 2012}}</ref> which implies that the IT resources are under the ''exclusive control'' of the entityuser.
** To "store, manage, and process data",<ref name=OUPCC/> which implies that the data is ''private'' to the entityuser, in the sense that it is determined by them, even if it is accessible by others.

This means that '''cloud computing''' is a type of Internet-based computing, and it consists of every situation where the use of IT resources by an entity, including a person or an organisation, has all of the following characteristics:<ref name=Metaphor/><ref name=Adjective/><ref name=AllPM/><ref name=OUPCC/><ref name=CloudSystems>{{cite web|url= http://www.cloudcomputingworld.org/cloud-computing-platforms/cloud-systems-definition-and-explanation.html|title=Cloud Systems: Definition and Explanation |publisher= Cloud Computing World |date= |accessdate=28 February 2012}}</ref><ref name=DictionaryCC>{{cite web|url= http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/cloud+computing|title=Cloud computing |publisher=Dictionary.com |date= |accessdate=28 February 2012}}</ref>

* Access to the resources is:
** Controlled by the entity, and restricted by them to their authorised users.
** Delivered via the Internet to all of these users.
* The resources are:
** Hosted by a service provider on behalf of the entity.
** Dedicated to their exclusive use of the entity.
* Data processed by the resources is:
** Private to the entity and its associates.
** Entered or collected by them, or automatically produced for them.

Depending on the context, ''cloud computing'' can mean:

* Access to and use of the resources.<ref name=OUPCC/>
(contracted; show full)*[[Platform as a service|Platform as a Service]]
*[[Software as a service|Software as a Service]]

=References=
{{Reflist|30em}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cloud computing}}
[[Category:Cloud computing]]