Definition
Virtual Machines (VMs) simulate a physical computer, allowing multiple operating systems to run on a single physical machine. VMs are used for software development, running incompatible software, and protecting against malware.
Pros & Cons
Pros & Cons:
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Run multiple OS on one physical machine | Performance overhead compared to native |
| Isolation from host system (security) | Resource sharing with host system |
| Easy backup and restoration (snapshots) | Complexity in management |
| Cost-effective for testing across environments | |
| Hardware independence (intermediate code) |
Key Point
Intermediate Code:
VMs often execute intermediate code (like Java bytecode or .NET IL), which is not tied to specific hardware. This allows the same code to run on different systems with the appropriate VM.
VMs often execute intermediate code (like Java bytecode or .NET IL), which is not tied to specific hardware. This allows the same code to run on different systems with the appropriate VM.