Which statement describes a cloud native application?

A cloud native application is designed to fully leverage the advantages of cloud computing, built with scalability, resilience, and flexibility in mind. The correct definition reflects that cloud native applications consist of discrete, reusable components, commonly referred to as microservices. These components are typically deployed in a cloud environment and can easily integrate with various services and platforms available in the cloud.

The modular structure allows for independent updates and scaling of individual components without affecting the entire application, which enhances agility and accelerates the development and deployment process. Additionally, cloud native applications often utilize services such as container orchestration, continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD), and cloud infrastructure capabilities, which contribute to their operational efficiency.

The other options do not accurately capture the essence of what defines a cloud native application. An application available only on a specific cloud platform does not encompass the broader principles of cloud native architecture. Similarly, being developed using tools hosted in the cloud does not inherently make an application cloud native; the architectural approach is what distinguishes it. Lastly, while an application being compatible with both cloud and non-cloud environments might suggest flexibility, it does not specifically align with the core principle of being built as a set of interconnected components optimized for cloud ecosystems.