Also known as PaaS.

Platform-as a Service is distinct from Infrastructure- as a Service because it combines elements of both hardware and software providing a complete layer on which applications (including SaaS applications) are run or software developed. PaaS reduces the complexity of application development as it removes the overhead of managing resources such as runtime, middleware, operating system, virtualization, servers, storage, and networking (which together comprise the Platform) from the programmer’s tasks. Like other -as a Service offerings, PaaS is billed periodically and isn’t ‘owned’ by the purchaser.