Mapping the Cloud: A Practical Guide to AWS, Azure, and GCP Services
The Three Pillars of Cloud Infrastructure
Starting your journey in the cloud requires more than just picking a provider; it demands an understanding of the fundamental building blocks that make up modern applications. Whether you choose , , or , you are essentially navigating three core areas: compute, object storage, and databases. While the marketing names differ, the underlying utility remains remarkably consistent across the "Big Three."
Compute: Finding Your Execution Model
Compute is the engine of your application. Most developers should start with Serverless functions—like , , or —because they offer a generous free tier and remove the burden of server management. You write code, and the provider runs it on demand. However, if your project requires strict environment control, you might look toward Containers. Solutions like or provide a middle ground, while offers the ultimate, albeit complex, orchestration for massive scales.
Storage and Database Strategies
Storing a PDF is fundamentally different from storing user profiles. For static assets, Object Storage is the standard. and act as infinite digital attics, storing data as discrete objects with metadata. For structured data that requires frequent querying, you move into Managed Databases. Relational SQL databases are the bedrock for most apps, but for high-velocity scalability, NoSQL options like or trade rigid schema for performance.
Choosing the Right Path
Every cloud provider can likely handle your workload. The real differentiation lies in pricing structures and specialized services like AI and machine learning. As you design your system, prioritize cost transparency and avoid service lock-in where possible. The cloud isn't just a place to host code; it's a toolkit that, when used methodically, accelerates development cycles and scales with your success.
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The Basics You Need to Know about AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud
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On this channel, I post videos about programming and software design to help you take your coding skills to the next level. I'm an entrepreneur and a university lecturer in computer science, with more than 20 years of experience in software development and design. If you're a software developer and you want to improve your development skills, and learn more about programming in general, make sure to subscribe for helpful videos. I post a video here every Friday. If you have any suggestion for a topic you'd like me to cover, just leave a comment on any of my videos and I'll take it under consideration. Thanks for watching!