DataTerminology.comNEW
Also known as: PaaS
Cloud service model delivering managed application platforms and runtimes without managing underlying infrastructure.
DESCRIPTION
Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) provides application runtimes, frameworks, and managed services so developers can deploy code without managing servers. It accelerates delivery with built-in scaling, logging, and CI/CD integrations. PaaS offerings include app services, managed databases, and message queues. It balances control and convenience between IaaS and SaaS. PaaS reduces operational toil but may constrain customization and portability. Security, cost, and supported languages influence platform choice. Teams often mix PaaS and serverless for flexible architectures.
ALTERNATIVE DEFINITIONS
NIST
The capability provided to the consumer is to deploy onto the cloud infrastructure consumer-created or acquired applications created using programming languages, libraries, services, and tools supported by the provider.
Highlights provider-supported languages and deployment onto provider platforms.
Red Hat
Platform as a service (PaaS) is a cloud computing model that provides customers a complete cloud platform—hardware, software, and infrastructure—for developing, running, and managing applications.
Stresses completeness from hardware through platform services.
RELATED TERMS
SaaS Cloud Computing Serverless Computing Managed Databases CI-CD Containers Application Runtime
COMPETING TERMS
RELATIONS
- Narrower: Integration Platform as a Service
KNOWLEDGE AREAS
Cloud Platform & Tooling Data Services Software Engineering
TARGET AUDIENCE
Cloud Architect Software Developer DevOps Engineer Chief Technology Officer
EXTERNAL SOURCES
- Wikipedia - Platform as a service
- Microsoft Azure - Managed application platform
- Google Cloud - App Engine PaaS product
- AWS - Elastic Beanstalk overview
TOP QUESTIONS
When should teams choose PaaS?
When speed and reduced ops outweigh deep infrastructure control. PaaS accelerates delivery with managed runtimes and services.
Category: Requirements
How does PaaS differ from IaaS?
IaaS provides raw compute, storage, and networking. PaaS adds managed runtimes and services, abstracting away servers and OS management.
Category: Misunderstanding
What are PaaS risks?
Platform lock-in and limited customization. Ensure portability and understand limits on supported languages and extensions.
Category: Risks
How does PaaS support DevOps?
Built-in deployment pipelines, scaling, logging, and monitoring streamline delivery and operations for applications.
Category: Application
What’s a hot topic in PaaS?
Combining PaaS with serverless and containers for polyglot microservices is gaining traction.
Category: Topic
How do costs compare for PaaS?
PaaS reduces operational burden but can be pricier per compute unit. Autoscaling and reserved plans help optimize spend.
Category: Management
What managed services pair well with PaaS?
Managed databases, caches, message queues, and identity services integrate seamlessly to form complete applications.
Category: Example
How is security handled in PaaS?
Providers secure the platform and OS. Customers secure applications, secrets, and access controls following shared responsibility.
Category: Management
What is a competing approach to PaaS?
IaaS offers more control at the cost of higher operational work. Serverless abstracts even more for event-driven workloads.
Category: Alternatives