Cloud computing refers to delivering computing services such as databases, software, storage, and computing power over the Internet. It evolved from earlier technologies such as remote job entry in the 1950s and Amazon launching the first public cloud, AWS, in 2006. There are different types of cloud computing based on deployment and usage including public, private, hybrid, and external clouds. Key characteristics include on-demand self-service, shared resources, massive scale, and pay-per-use. Common cloud service models are infrastructure as a service (IaaS), platform as a service (PaaS), and software as a service (SaaS).