Cloud Computing
Tagging
Definition
In cloud computing, tagging is the practice of assigning metadata (in the form of key-value pairs) to your cloud resources. These tags can be used to organize resources, automate processes, and, most importantly, allocate costs.
Why It Matters
A consistent tagging strategy is essential for effective cloud governance and cost management. It allows you to answer questions like "How much is the marketing team spending on their project?" or "Which resources belong to the production environment?".
Contextual Example
A team might apply tags like `project: new-website`, `environment: production`, and `owner: team-alpha` to all the resources they create in the cloud. They can then use these tags to filter their bill and see the total cost for that project.
Common Misunderstandings
- Without proper tagging, a cloud bill becomes an unmanageable mess of charges with no clear ownership.
- Most organizations have a mandatory tagging policy that is enforced through automation.