Definition: A software delivery model where applications are hosted and managed by a service provider, accessible via the internet.
Key Characteristics:
No installation or updating required on user machines.
Accessible from anywhere, anytime.
Subscription-based, not a one-time license fee.
User-friendly and less complex.
Example: SaaS is like a Taxi - You don’t worry about the car’s details, you just pay for the service.
2. PaaS (Platform as a Service)
Definition: A service offering a platform to users for developing, running, and managing applications without the complexity of building and maintaining infrastructure.
Key Characteristics:
Builds on IaaS, providing an additional layer for app development.
Tools for building, testing, deploying, and managing applications.
Removes the need to manage underlying infrastructure.
Example: PaaS is a kind of Renting a car - You don’t focus much on the car’s details; you’re just using it temporarily and pay for the usage like gas and toll fees.
Pros:
Fast and easy to use.
Simple to create and delete resources.
Cost-effective, reducing the need for full-time IT administration.
Wide range of tools available in marketplaces.
Cons:
Reduced control over the environment.
Potential for vendor lock-in.
Performance and scalability may vary with user load.
3. IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service)
Definition: A form of cloud computing that provides virtualized computing resources over the internet.
Key Characteristics:
Offers computing, networking, and storage resources.
Target users are System/IT Administrators.
Examples include AWS, Azure, and IBM Cloud.
Example: IaaS is similar to Leasing a car - You choose specific features, performance, color, etc., and pay for the lease, gas, and toll fees.