> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://notebook.iuriioapps.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://notebook.iuriioapps.com/cloud/azure.md).

# Azure

* Microsoft's public cloud computing platform
* Over 200 individual products and services
* Build, run, and manage applications on Microsoft's global infrastructure
  * **IaaS** - Infrastructure as a Service
    * Virtual servers
    * You are responsible for maintaining the OS
  * **PaaS** - Platform as a Service (managed)
    * Cloud vendor maintains infrastructure for you
    * You focus on application code and data
  * **SaaS** - Software as a Service (managed)
    * Vendor provides a full software stack
* Allows you to supplement or replace existing on-premise computing services
* Main advantage: pay-as-you-go pricing
  * no up-front commitment for resources (though, in the long run prepaying saves money)
  * billed by the second for using resources