Which characteristic defines S3 storage?

Object-based storage is a defining characteristic of Amazon S3 (Simple Storage Service). This means that data is stored as discrete units called objects, which contain the data itself, metadata, and a unique identifier. This approach allows for scalability, durability, and easy access to large amounts of unstructured data.

In S3, each object can be up to 5 terabytes in size and is accessed via a unique URL, making it suitable for storing vast amounts of data such as media files, backups, and big data analytics. The use of a flat namespace for storage, as opposed to a hierarchical file system, simplifies data management, enhances performance, and improves availability. Overall, the object-based architecture provides flexibility and efficiency for various cloud storage use cases.

The other options do not accurately describe S3's functionality or requirements. For instance, S3 does not require a static IP address as it is accessed through URLs; it is not a file system based on traditional directory structures; and while it's possible to host web applications using S3 for static content, this is not its primary defining characteristic.