Which of the following best describes cloud computing?

Cloud computing is best described as the delivery of computing services over the internet. This encompasses a wide range of services including storage, processing power, and applications, which are hosted on remote servers and made accessible to users via the internet. The flexibility and scalability of cloud computing allow users to access resources as needed, eliminating the need for organizations to invest in expensive hardware and infrastructure.

The core concept of cloud computing is its ability to provide on-demand access to shared resources, enabling users to leverage powerful computing capabilities without the associated costs of hosting and maintaining those resources locally. This model also facilitates collaboration and data sharing, as users can access services and information from anywhere with an internet connection.

The other options focus on more traditional computing concepts that do not capture the essence of cloud computing. For example, personal computers and local servers are related to standalone operations rather than the interconnected nature of cloud-based services. Additionally, hardware storage pertains specifically to physical devices rather than the distributed and internet-based infrastructure that characterizes cloud environments.