This document provides an introduction to cloud computing. It discusses why cloud computing is important, defines cloud computing as the delivery of computing services over the internet, and outlines the history and evolution of cloud computing. It then describes the key characteristics of cloud computing including on-demand self-service, broad network access, resource pooling, rapid elasticity, and measured service. The document also covers the different cloud service models (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS), deployment models (public, private, hybrid, community clouds), and concepts like client/server and virtual machines.