![[Virtual machines]](https://yourselfhood.com/storage/2024/06/construction-site-2853197_960_720.jpg)
A virtual machine is a software-based emulation of a physical computer system. It allows multiple operating systems to run on a single physical machine, providing a way to run different applications on different operating systems without needing separate physical hardware for each. Virtual machines are commonly used for testing software on different operating systems, running legacy applications, and creating isolated environments for security purposes. They are also used in cloud computing environments to provide scalable resources for running applications.