# Topology and Orchestration Specification for Cloud Applications

> OASIS standard language to describe a topology of cloud based web services, their components, relationships, and the processes that manage them

**Wikidata**: [Q17072316](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q17072316)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OASIS_TOSCA)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/topology-and-orchestration-specification-for-cloud-applications

## Summary
Topology and Orchestration Specification for Cloud Applications (TOSCA) is an OASIS standard language designed to describe the topology of cloud-based web services, including their components, relationships, and management processes. It serves as a domain-specific language for cloud portability, enabling standardized deployment and orchestration of cloud applications.

## Key Facts
- **Standardized by**: OASIS (Organization for the Advancement of Structured Information Standards)
- **Primary use**: Cloud portability and orchestration of cloud-based web services
- **Language type**: Domain-specific language (DSL) and object-based language
- **Key versions**: TOSCA Simple Profile in YAML Version 1.1 and 1.2
- **Aliases**: OASIS TOSCA, TOSCA
- **Maintained by**: The Topology and Orchestration Specification for Cloud Applications working group
- **Instance of**: Technical standard, domain-specific language, object-based language
- **Wikipedia title**: OASIS TOSCA (English version only)
- **Freebase ID**: /m/0100q4k4

## FAQs
### Q: What is TOSCA used for?
A: TOSCA is used to describe the topology of cloud-based web services, including their components, relationships, and management processes, enabling standardized deployment and orchestration.

### Q: Who developed TOSCA?
A: TOSCA was developed by the OASIS Topology and Orchestration Specification for Cloud Applications working group.

### Q: What are the key versions of TOSCA?
A: The key versions include TOSCA Simple Profile in YAML Version 1.1 and Version 1.2.

### Q: Is TOSCA free to use?
A: Yes, TOSCA is an open standard maintained by OASIS, making it freely available for use.

### Q: How does TOSCA differ from other cloud orchestration tools?
A: TOSCA is a standardized language for describing cloud service topologies, whereas other tools may focus on specific deployment or management tasks.

## Why It Matters
TOSCA addresses the need for a standardized way to describe and orchestrate cloud-based applications, ensuring portability and interoperability across different cloud environments. By providing a domain-specific language, it simplifies the deployment and management of complex cloud services, reducing vendor lock-in and enabling consistent operations. Its adoption by OASIS ensures broad industry support, making it a critical tool for cloud infrastructure and service providers. Without TOSCA, organizations would face challenges in managing heterogeneous cloud environments, leading to increased complexity and potential inefficiencies.

## Notable For
- **Standardization**: TOSCA is the first OASIS standard specifically designed for cloud service topology and orchestration.
- **Interoperability**: It enables seamless deployment across different cloud platforms by standardizing service descriptions.
- **YAML Support**: The TOSCA Simple Profile in YAML versions (1.1 and 1.2) provide human-readable and machine-processable formats.
- **Open Standard**: Maintained by OASIS, TOSCA is freely available and widely adopted in cloud computing.
- **Component Relationships**: It uniquely models relationships between cloud service components, ensuring accurate orchestration.

## Body
### Overview
TOSCA is a technical standard developed by OASIS to describe cloud service topologies, including their components, relationships, and management processes. It serves as a domain-specific language (DSL) for cloud portability, enabling standardized deployment and orchestration.

### Development and Versions
- **Developed by**: OASIS Topology and Orchestration Specification for Cloud Applications working group.
- **Key versions**:
  - TOSCA Simple Profile in YAML Version 1.1
  - TOSCA Simple Profile in YAML Version 1.2

### Language Features
- **Type**: Object-based language and domain-specific language.
- **Purpose**: Describes cloud service topologies, components, relationships, and management processes.

### Adoption and Impact
- **Maintained by**: The TOSCA working group ensures ongoing updates and support.
- **Wikipedia presence**: Documented under "OASIS TOSCA" in English only.
- **Freebase ID**: /m/0100q4k4 for reference in structured data systems.

### Technical Specifications
- **Aliases**: OASIS TOSCA, TOSCA.
- **Instance of**: Technical standard, domain-specific language, object-based language.
- **Editions**: Includes TOSCA Simple Profile in YAML versions 1.1 and 1.2.

### Significance
TOSCA plays a crucial role in cloud computing by providing a standardized way to describe and orchestrate cloud services, promoting interoperability and reducing vendor lock-in. Its adoption by OASIS ensures broad industry support, making it a foundational tool for cloud infrastructure management.