Glossary

Virtual (computation)

In the context of computation, virtual refers to a representation or simulation of a real-world process, object, or environment on a computer system. It denotes elements that are not physically present but are made to appear or function as though they are real through software emulation or simulation. This concept is widely applied in areas like virtual reality, where immersive digital environments simulate physical presence in real or imagined worlds, and in virtual machines, where an operating system runs as if it were installed on a physical computer.