What does 'latency' refer to in cloud computing?

In cloud computing, 'latency' specifically refers to the time delay between a user's request and the response from the cloud service. This metric is crucial as it impacts the performance and usability of applications that rely on cloud services. High latency can lead to delays in processing requests, resulting in a poor user experience, especially for real-time applications like video conferencing, online gaming, or immediate data processing scenarios.

Understanding latency is essential for optimizing cloud applications. For instance, if an application frequently experiences high latency, users may receive responses slowly, leading to frustration and inefficiencies. Therefore, strategies to reduce latency, such as optimizing network routes, choosing geographically closer data centers, or using content delivery networks, are vital for enhancing the performance of cloud services.