A virtual machine (VM) is a software-based emulation of a physical computer system that runs as an isolated guest operating system on a host machine. It allows multiple operating systems to run on a single physical machine, providing a way to efficiently utilize hardware resources and improve flexibility in managing and deploying applications.
Virtual machines are commonly used for testing new software, running legacy applications, isolating environments for security purposes, and consolidating servers. They can be created, managed, and deleted dynamically, making them a versatile tool for developers, IT professionals, and system administrators.
Popular virtual machine software includes VMware, VirtualBox, and Microsoft Hyper-V. These platforms provide tools for creating, configuring, and managing virtual machines, allowing users to easily set up multiple operating systems on a single physical machine.