Platform as a Service (PaaS) is a cloud computing model that provides customers with a complete platform—hardware, software, and infrastructure—for developing, running, and managing applications without the complexity of building and maintaining the infrastructure typically associated with developing and launching an app. PaaS can be thought of as a turnkey service, offering developers the ability to create software using built-in software components. Cloud features such as scalability, high-availability, and multi-tenant capability are often included, freeing developers from the need to manage core aspects of cloud infrastructure.
PaaS is designed to support the complete web application lifecycle of building, testing, deploying, managing, and updating within the same integrated environment. It enables developers to focus on the creative side of app development, rather than the operational elements. By abstracting much of the system administration effort required for setting up environments, PaaS can significantly accelerate the process of bringing an application from concept to reality.
As businesses increasingly seek efficiency and speed to market, PaaS offerings are gaining traction for their role in enabling rapid development and innovation. We’ll explore how PaaS works, its advantages for developers and businesses, and the considerations to keep in mind when selecting a PaaS provider.