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A virtual machine (VM) is a software-based emulation of a physical computer that allows multiple operating systems to run on a single physical machine. By creating a virtual environment, a VM enables users to run different applications and software without interfering with the host operating system.
Virtual machines are commonly used for testing software applications, running legacy applications, creating development environments, and isolating potentially harmful programs. They are also used in cloud computing environments to efficiently allocate resources and increase flexibility in managing workloads.
Some popular virtual machine software includes VMware, VirtualBox, and Microsoft Hyper-V. These platforms provide the necessary tools to create, manage, and run virtual machines on a host computer.