Microsoft 365 FundamentalsDescribe cloud conceptsMedium
A software development team needs to deploy a new web application rapidly. They want to avoid managing the underlying operating system, virtual machines, and network configuration, preferring to focus solely on their application code and data. Which cloud service type best meets these requirements?
- ASoftware as a Service (SaaS)
- BFunction as a Service (FaaS)
- CPlatform as a Service (PaaS)
- DInfrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Platform as a Service (PaaS)
Platform as a Service (PaaS) provides a complete development and deployment environment without the need to manage the underlying infrastructure (OS, VMs, networking), allowing developers to focus solely on their application code and data.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. SaaS provides a complete, ready-to-use application, not a platform for custom development.
- B. FaaS (Serverless) is a more granular form of PaaS, but PaaS is the broader category that best fits the description of avoiding OS/VM management while still developing an application.
- D. IaaS requires the user to manage operating systems, virtual machines, and network configurations.
Platform as a Service (PaaS)
A cloud service model that provides a complete development and deployment environment in the cloud, including operating systems, programming language execution environments, databases, and web servers.
- Cloud provider manages infrastructure (OS, VMs, networking).
- Users manage applications and data.
- Ideal for developers who want to focus on code.
Memory trick: I-P-S: Infra, Platform, Software.