Cloud databases are a type of database service that is hosted and managed in a cloud computing environment. They have gained significant popularity due to their scalability, flexibility, and ease of management. Unlike traditional databases, where the application owners are responsible for database management tasks such as replication, sharding, and backups, cloud databases are managed by the cloud service provider. This allows businesses to focus on their core operations without worrying about the underlying database infrastructure ².

Key features of cloud databases include horizontal scaling, which allows for the addition of resources as data volume increases, and automatic backup and restoration capabilities. This makes them particularly suitable for applications that require high availability and performance ². Major cloud database solutions include Amazon DynamoDB, Google BigQuery, and Azure Cosmos DB, each offering unique features tailored to different use cases ²⁴.

As businesses increasingly migrate to cloud-native architectures, cloud databases are expected to play a crucial role in data management strategies ¹².