The document introduces cloud computing, defining it as a parallel and distributed computing system consisting of interconnected, virtualized computers that are dynamically provisioned as unified resources. Cloud computing roots include hardware virtualization, multi-core chips, service-oriented architecture, web technologies, and autonomic computing. There are three main types of cloud services: Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS). Challenges of cloud computing include security, data lock-in, availability, and resource management.