This document provides an introduction to cloud computing, including its history, types of computing, key characteristics, service models, types of clouds, applications, advantages, and disadvantages. It discusses how cloud computing emerged in the 1990s and was popularized by Amazon in 2006. The document outlines the main types of computing including grid, fog, mainframe, utility, peer-to-peer, green, and cloud sandbox. It also describes the key characteristics, main service models of IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS, and types of clouds such as private, public, and hybrid clouds. Finally, it discusses some common applications and advantages including cost savings and mobility, as well as disadvantages like network dependency and security issues