Информатика / Computer science

Virtual machine is a software application run by the host operating system of a computer that simulates a stand-alone computer system.

There may be several reasons for using a virtual machine on your computer:

• Testing an additional operating system

• Testing various programs

• Launching potentially dangerous programs

• Running programs incompatible with the operating system installed on your computer

Advantages

• Less electricity used - you use one computer instead of two

• You can quickly switch between operating systems

• Cheaper, you don't need to buy a new computer

• You can store the entire "computer" in one file

Disadvantages

• Makes your computer slower by starting two systems at the same time

• If the main operating system crashes, you will lose other operating systems as well