Which term describes a service that provides software applications over the internet?

The term that describes a service providing software applications over the internet is Software as a Service (SaaS). SaaS allows users to access software applications remotely, typically through a web browser, without the need for local installation or management of the underlying infrastructure. This model enables users to benefit from the latest features and updates automatically, as the service provider handles maintenance, security, and scalability.

SaaS is particularly advantageous for businesses as it reduces the burden of managing software and hardware, allowing organizations to focus on their core activities. This model also supports a variety of use cases, from productivity tools like office suites to specialized applications for tasks such as customer relationship management (CRM) and enterprise resource planning (ERP).

The other terms describe different cloud service models. Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) provides virtualized computing resources over the internet, allowing users to rent servers, storage, and networking on a pay-as-you-go basis. Platform as a Service (PaaS) offers a development environment for building, testing, and deploying applications without managing the underlying hardware and software layers. Function as a Service (FaaS) allows developers to execute code in response to events without needing to provision and manage servers, focusing on a microservices architecture.

Understanding