Chapter 9. Using the cloud
This chapter covers
- Introducing cloud computing
- Working with multiple cloud providers
- Gathering information on the cloud host
- Compiling to various operating systems and architectures
- Monitoring the Go runtime in an application
Cloud computing has become one of the buzzwords of modern computing. Is it just a buzzword or something more? This chapter opens with an introduction to cloud computing that explores this question and what cloud computing looks like in a practical sense. You’ll see how it relates to the traditional models working with hardware servers and virtual machines.
Cloud computing is a space filled with various cloud providers. It’s easy to build an application that ends up being locked into a single vendor. You’ll learn how to avoid cloud vendor lock-in while architecting code in a manner that’s easier to develop locally and test.
When you’re ready to run your application in the cloud, you’ll find situations you need to work with, such as learning about the host your application is running on, monitoring the Go runtime inside every application, and cross-compiling to various systems before deploying. You’ll explore how to do this while avoiding pitfalls that can catch you off guard.
This chapter rounds out some key cloud concepts. After you’ve completed this chapter and the previous chapters, you’ll have what you need to build and operate cloud-based applications written in Go.