In system diagrams, what symbol is commonly used to represent cloud computing?

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Representing cloud resources in system diagrams hinges on using a visual metaphor that signals external, internet-based services. The cloud-shaped symbol is the standard because it immediately communicates “cloud” to readers, indicating these resources are hosted remotely or managed by a third party and are not part of the local network. This abstraction keeps diagrams readable by avoiding details about where servers live or how they’re wired, while still conveying the essential idea that the services exist outside the immediate infrastructure. Other shapes don’t carry the same widely understood meaning in this context; a triangle might imply decision points or a specific type of node, a circle is often used for processes or events in many notations, and placing a cloud icon inside a square adds redundancy without adding clarity. So, the cloud-shaped symbol is the most effective and recognizable choice for representing cloud computing in system diagrams.