In cloud service models, which option delivers software applications hosted by a provider and accessed over the internet?

• A. Software as a Service (SaaS)
• B. Platform as a Service (PaaS)
• C. Middleware
• D. Client-Server Architecture

Answer: (A)

This describes Software as a Service. In this model, software applications are hosted by the provider on their infrastructure and delivered to you over the internet, typically accessed via a web browser. You don’t install or maintain the software locally—the provider handles hosting, updates, security, and scaling, and you pay for access as a service. Examples include applications like Google Workspace, Salesforce, and Microsoft 365.

Platform as a Service offers a development platform for building and deploying your own apps, rather than delivering a ready-made application. Middleware is the software layer that helps different applications communicate and work together. Client-Server Architecture is a general networking design pattern, not a specific cloud service model.