Cloud, like other forms of computers, changes over time

Cloud computing has been with us a while. In its short life, and like other types of computing, it has changed.

"Cloud" started out as the outsourcing of system administration.

Then "cloud" was about scalability, and the ability to "spin up" servers as you needed them and "spin down" servers when they were not needed.

Shortly after, "cloud" was a cost-control measure: pay for only the servers you use.

For a while, "cloud" was a new type of system architecture with dedicated servers (web, database) connected by message queues.

Then "cloud" was about microservices, which are small web services that are less than complete applications. (Connect the right microservices in the right way, and you have an application!)

Lately, "cloud" has been all about containers, and the rapid and lightweight deployment of applications.

So what is "cloud computing", really?

Well, it's all of these things. As I see it, cloud computing is a new form of computing, difference from mainframe computing, desktop computing, and web applications. As a new form of computing, it has taken us a while to fully understand it.

We had similar transitions with desktop (or PC) computing and web applications. Early desktop microcomputers (the Apple II, the TRS-80, and even the IBM PC) were small, slow, and difficult to use. Over time, we modified those PCs: powerful processors, bigger displays, more memory, simpler attachments (USB instead of serial), and better interfaces (Windows instead of DOS).

Web applications went through their own transitions, from static web pages to CGI Perl scripts to AJAX applications to new standards for HTML.

Cloud computing is undergoing a similar process. It shouldn't be a surprise; this process of gradual improvement is less about technology and more about human creativity. We're always looking for new ways of doing things.

One can argue that PCs and web applications have not stopped changing. We've just added touchscreens to desktop and laptop computers, and we've invented NoSQL databases for web applications (and mobile applications). It may be that cloud computing will continue to change, too.

It seems we're pretty good at changing things.