What term is used for applications and services that run on a distributed network using virtualized resources?

The term used for applications and services that operate on a distributed network utilizing virtualized resources is "Cloud." This concept encompasses cloud computing, which provides on-demand availability of computing resources such as servers, storage, databases, networking, software, and more, delivered over the internet.

Cloud resources are typically managed by third-party providers and offer scalability, flexibility, and efficiency, allowing organizations to focus on their core business without worrying about managing physical hardware. The resources can be dynamically allocated and adjusted based on user needs, making clouds adept at handling varying levels of demand.

In contrast, a server refers to a physical or virtual machine that provides services to other machines or clients within a network, but it does not encompass the broader distributed nature of cloud technologies. A network is a collection of interconnected devices that can communicate, but it doesn't specifically refer to the applications or services provided through virtualized resources. A database is a structured set of data stored electronically, which can be part of cloud services but does not capture the full scope of cloud computing capabilities.