So I was reading some tutorials and read that "on-demand self service" is cloud computing's characteristic. But I'm very confused because why is it specifically cloud computing's characteristic? isn't it also possible to have on-demand self service aspect from non-cloud computing as well? do ALL cloud computing services allow on-demand self service WHILE almost none of those services(services that are not cloud computing) allows on-demand self service? It sounds like saying "self service is a characteristic of diesel cars"... but GASOLINE CAR OWNERS CAN ALSO DO SELF SERVICE IF THEY CHOOSE TO!". no?
The National Institute of Standards and Technology published a special publication (800-145) that attempts to define Cloud Computing. Under their definition, they define that "On-demand self-service" is an essential characteristic of the cloud model.
On-demand self-service. A consumer can unilaterally provision computing capabilities, such as server time and network storage, as needed automatically without requiring human interaction with each service provider
Their definition doesn't preclude non-cloud technologies from also providing "on-demand self-service" but their definition does imply that a provider that wants to claim that they have a cloud computing service must have such.