Understanding the Benefits of Virtualization: Why Virtual Machines Are Essential

A virtual machine (VM) is a software-based emulation of a physical computer that operates and executes programs like a physical machine. It allows multiple operating systems to run on a single physical machine simultaneously. Virtual machines are commonly used for testing software in different environments, running legacy applications, and server consolidation. They provide flexibility, scalability, and cost savings by reducing the need for physical hardware. Popular virtual machine software includes VMware, VirtualBox, and Microsoft Hyper-V.