“Lehman’s” terms: What is the cloud?

“Lehman’s” Terms is an ongoing blog series reviewing the basics of data management and technology systems to provide an introduction or definition to those who may be new to some of the concepts covered. Written by Bill Lehman, this series will cover topics such as the cloud, machine learning, metadata, and more.

The cloud was first marketed to the public in 2011 by Microsoft, but it had been in use long before that. Cloud computing first began – in a very rudimentary manner – in the 1960’s, when DARPA sought a way to allow 2-3 people to use a single computer simultaneously. As modern computing and the internet evolved, cloud computing would become a major way we interacted with all of our favorite programs.

Understanding the Cloud

But what even is the cloud? Simply put, the cloud refers to the use and availability of storage or computing power without direct access to the primary device. Think of when you stream something from Netflix – your television doesn’t have the movie stored on its hard drive, and you’re not using a piece of hardware supplied to you by Netflix, but it is accessing the file from Netflix’s servers and streaming it to your living room, all in a matter of seconds.

Cloud computing has allowed some of today’s most major retailers and businesses to grow, including Amazon, Apple, and Netflix. Many of your favorite websites and applications likely rely on some form of cloud computing.

 

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