How is cloud computing primarily defined?

Cloud computing is primarily defined as a model for enabling convenient, on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources. This definition emphasizes the core characteristics of cloud computing, which include scalability, elasticity, and access over the internet. It supports a variety of services, such as storage, processing power, and networking capabilities, allowing users to provision and manage these resources flexibly and autonomously.

This on-demand access means that users can utilize cloud services whenever they need them, without the need for direct active management by the service provider. This level of convenience is one of the key factors driving the adoption of cloud technologies across various industries, as it allows organizations to adjust their computing resources quickly in response to changing demands.

While virtualization, developing applications, and centralized data management are all relevant aspects of cloud computing, they do not encapsulate its primary definition. Virtualization is a technology that enables cloud environments but is not synonymous with cloud computing itself. Developing new applications can certainly occur within the cloud, but it is not the defining characteristic of the cloud model. Centralized data management is an outcome of using cloud services, but again, it does not define cloud computing as a whole.