Cloud computing is distributed computing over the internet that allows users to access software, storage, and services remotely. It evolved from concepts in the 1950s but Amazon launched the first major public cloud in 2006. Cloud components include client computers, distributed servers, and data centers connected over the internet. Cloud services provide software, platforms, or infrastructure as a service and can be deployed publicly, privately, or in a hybrid model. Cloud computing is popular because it reduces complexity, allows customization, and provides scalable, reliable access to information and services over the internet.