What is a virtual machine?

A virtual machine (VM) is a software-based simulation of a physical computer that runs an operating system and applications just like a real computer. VMs allow you to run multiple operating systems on a single physical machine, isolating each environment for security and flexibility. They are commonly used for software development, testing, server consolidation, and running legacy applications. Virtual machines are managed by a hypervisor, which allocates resources and ensures separation between VMs.