What is a virtual machine in computing?

A virtual machine is a complete emulation of a computer system within an operating system. This means that it allows a user to run an operating system and applications as if they were running on a physical computer, while in reality, they are operating within a software environment. The virtual machine creates a virtualized environment that mimics an actual computer, complete with its own virtual hardware, including CPU, memory, hard drives, and network interfaces.

This capability supports various uses, such as running multiple operating systems on a single physical machine, testing software in isolated environments, and providing a platform for server virtualization, which can lead to more efficient use of hardware resources. Virtual machines are particularly beneficial in development and testing as they allow developers to quickly spin up new environments or systems without needing physical hardware.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately capture what a virtual machine represents in computing. For instance, software that speeds up hardware performance pertains to system optimization rather than virtualization, while a hardware component supporting multiple operating systems refers more to hypervisors or hardware-based virtualization rather than the concept of a virtual machine itself. The idea of a cloud service for software deployment does not define a virtual machine but rather relates to broader cloud computing services that may utilize virtual machines as part of