I know it's a stupid question but then also I want to ask because I am very confused...

Recently I started learning about cloud computing and I have question that:- What actually cloud is?? (Please don't tell the advantages or what can we do with cloud, etc.)

Is it collection of hardwares or many companies have built some special servers that are put together for the purpose??

A cloud is an aerosol consisting of visible mass of minute liquid droplets, frozen crystals, or other particles suspended in the atmosphere of a planetary body or similar space.

While certainly not a specialist (and do correct me if I am wrong):

Cloud in cloud computing refers to the whole infrastructure (hardware and software) that is used to do a task, without you knowing the specifics. For example:

-You want to store a file online

-This can be done with a specific server, but that has pros and cons (as well as cloud)

-Decide to store it to the "cloud"

-You upload it to the "entry point"

-The infrastructure has the responsibility to store (and recall it) as it sees fit. If you have, say, 50GB on the cloud, it can be even broken across 4-5 servers. That doesn't concern you. What it does, are those 50GB.

So the cloud is the collection of servers and networks between them, as well as the software running to keep this thing going.

Not the best explanation but this is how I see it. (It's actually quite hard to describe it in a simple way without describing what it does).

@bladedemon That's quite a thorough explanation!

Long story short: "Cloud" means someone's computer.

Basically cloud means a bunch of computers somewhere that you use over the internet.

Almost all the rest is up for debate ;)

Some claims you need to offer some minimal set of features but I know of no official commonly agreed on definition.

But usually you need to be more diverse than just plain virtual or dedicated hosting to really qualify.

I think the word started due to the early use of a cloud symbol to indicate the internet in diagrams.

"There is no cloud, just other people's computers." - someone

Anyway, you can see 'the cloud' as a service for whatever. It might be hosted software (a file storage like Dropbox or a hosted Red is instance for you to used) , hosted virtual servers (Amazon EC2) or something similar.

@Jilano your shortening missed the point:

Cloud means someone ELSE'S computer(s).

@Midnigh-shcode You're right! Sometimes my brain a word.

:D