The statement "Google Docs is a type of cloud computing service" is:

Introduction / Context:
Cloud computing refers to delivering computing services such as servers, storage, databases, networking, software, and analytics over the Internet. Google Docs is a popular web based application that allows users to create and edit documents online while collaborating with others in real time. This question asks whether it is correct to classify Google Docs as a type of cloud computing service.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Google Docs runs inside a web browser and stores documents online.
• Users access it via the Internet without installing full desktop software.
• Cloud computing includes software-as-a-service (SaaS) offerings delivered over the web.
• We assume a standard definition of cloud computing from IT textbooks and industry practice.

Concept / Approach:
In the SaaS model of cloud computing, users access application software hosted on remote servers through a web browser or a thin client. They do not manage the underlying infrastructure or platform. Google Docs fits this model: Google hosts the application and data in its data centres, and users access it online. It is therefore accurate to say that Google Docs is a cloud computing service, specifically SaaS. It is not offline only software, hardware, or an operating system, so any statement claiming those roles is incorrect.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Observe that users work with Google Docs by visiting a web address, signing in, and editing documents online. Step 2: Recognise that their documents are saved in Google's cloud storage, not only on the local disk. Step 3: Recall that SaaS applications are delivered over the Internet and maintained by the provider. Step 4: Match this description to Google Docs, which Google maintains and updates centrally. Step 5: Compare these facts with the statement that Google Docs is a type of cloud computing service and see that it is correct. Step 6: Reject options that treat Google Docs as offline-only software, hardware, or an operating system.

Verification / Alternative check:
Google's own documentation describes Google Docs as part of Google Workspace, a cloud based productivity suite. Industry analysts and teaching materials on cloud computing frequently name Google Docs as a classic example of SaaS. Users can access their documents from any device with a browser and Internet connection, which is a hallmark of cloud based applications. These consistent descriptions confirm that classifying Google Docs as a cloud computing service is correct.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Incorrect – Google Docs runs only as traditional offline desktop software: In reality, it is primarily an online service; offline editing is an optional feature, not the core model. Incorrect – Google Docs is purely a hardware device, not software: Google Docs is software hosted in the cloud, not a physical device. Incorrect – Google Docs is only an operating system, not a cloud service: It is an application running on top of operating systems, not an OS itself.

Common Pitfalls:
Some learners may think that cloud computing must involve virtual machines or infrastructure and forget that software-as-a-service is also a key part of cloud offerings. Another pitfall is assuming that because Google Docs can be used offline with syncing, it is not cloud based. In fact, offline access is an additional convenience; the core model remains cloud hosted software accessed over the Internet.

Final Answer:
The statement is Correct – Google Docs is a cloud-based software-as-a-service (SaaS) application.