Virtual Machine (VM)
A Virtual Machine (VM) is an emulation of a computer system that runs on a host operating system. VMs provide the functionality of a physical computer, running their own operating systems and applications in an isolated environment. This isolation allows multiple VMs to coexist on a single physical machine, optimizing hardware utilization. Virtual machines are used for testing software, running legacy applications, consolidating servers, and enhancing security by isolating applications from the host system.