What does PaaS provide in cloud computing?

PaaS, which stands for Platform as a Service, is a cloud computing service model that provides a platform allowing customers to develop, run, and manage applications without dealing with the complexity of building and maintaining the infrastructure that is typically associated with developing and launching an app.

By offering hosted computers and development tools, PaaS enables developers to focus on the development and creative aspects of their applications rather than worrying about the underlying hardware and software layers. It includes not just the servers and storage but also the runtime environment, tools for application development, and often database management services. This allows for faster time to market, scalability, and simplified development processes.

In contrast, other options refer to different cloud service models or components. Networking equipment and support relate more to Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), while virtualized cloud storage solutions pertain to storage services rather than the platform support that PaaS provides. Full infrastructure management services also describe IaaS, as it covers the broader management of physical and virtual resources, which is outside the scope of PaaS's focus on application development.