Virtual (computing)
Encyclopedia
The word virtual has been applied to computing
and information technology
with various meanings.
It is used of software systems that act as if they were hardware
systems (virtual machine
, virtual memory
, virtual disk), of computer-generated simulation
s of reality (virtual reality
), and of internet
gaming environments wherein entire worlds are created (virtual world
) or the real world is supplemented with virtual images (augmented reality
). Other applications of the word are being found constantly in this fast expanding field, such as virtual community
, virtual library, and virtual class
.
Early motivations for applying 'virtual' to computers (i.e., virtualization) were sharing of actual devices by many users and coordination of multiple processes, as seen with the successful use of the virtual machine approach.
Internet and communication technology fostered de-coupling of space where events happen, and storage technologies facilitate de-coupling of time between a message being sent and received.
These technologies build the environment for virtual work in teams, with members who may never meet each other in person. Communicating by telephone and e-mail, with work products shared electronically, virtual team
s produce results without being co-located.
Similarly, a virtual world is a type of habitation founded upon web technology that allows interactions for pursuits, such as economy and real estate
.
Computing
Computing is usually defined as the activity of using and improving computer hardware and software. It is the computer-specific part of information technology...
and information technology
Information technology
Information technology is the acquisition, processing, storage and dissemination of vocal, pictorial, textual and numerical information by a microelectronics-based combination of computing and telecommunications...
with various meanings.
It is used of software systems that act as if they were hardware
Hardware
Hardware is a general term for equipment such as keys, locks, hinges, latches, handles, wire, chains, plumbing supplies, tools, utensils, cutlery and machine parts. Household hardware is typically sold in hardware stores....
systems (virtual machine
Virtual machine
A virtual machine is a "completely isolated guest operating system installation within a normal host operating system". Modern virtual machines are implemented with either software emulation or hardware virtualization or both together.-VM Definitions:A virtual machine is a software...
, virtual memory
Virtual memory
In computing, virtual memory is a memory management technique developed for multitasking kernels. This technique virtualizes a computer architecture's various forms of computer data storage , allowing a program to be designed as though there is only one kind of memory, "virtual" memory, which...
, virtual disk), of computer-generated simulation
Simulation
Simulation is the imitation of some real thing available, state of affairs, or process. The act of simulating something generally entails representing certain key characteristics or behaviours of a selected physical or abstract system....
s of reality (virtual reality
Virtual reality
Virtual reality , also known as virtuality, is a term that applies to computer-simulated environments that can simulate physical presence in places in the real world, as well as in imaginary worlds...
), and of internet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
gaming environments wherein entire worlds are created (virtual world
Virtual world
A virtual world is an online community that takes the form of a computer-based simulated environment through which users can interact with one another and use and create objects. The term has become largely synonymous with interactive 3D virtual environments, where the users take the form of...
) or the real world is supplemented with virtual images (augmented reality
Augmented reality
Augmented reality is a live, direct or indirect, view of a physical, real-world environment whose elements are augmented by computer-generated sensory input such as sound, video, graphics or GPS data. It is related to a more general concept called mediated reality, in which a view of reality is...
). Other applications of the word are being found constantly in this fast expanding field, such as virtual community
Virtual community
A virtual community is a social network of individuals who interact through specific media, potentially crossing geographical and political boundaries in order to pursue mutual interests or goals...
, virtual library, and virtual class
Virtual class
A virtual class is an inner class that can be overridden by subclasses of the outer class.Virtual Classes are inner classes of another outer class, which behave like virtual functions. This means they can be overridden in a subclass of the outer class, and the run time type of a virtual class...
.
Early motivations for applying 'virtual' to computers (i.e., virtualization) were sharing of actual devices by many users and coordination of multiple processes, as seen with the successful use of the virtual machine approach.
Internet and communication technology fostered de-coupling of space where events happen, and storage technologies facilitate de-coupling of time between a message being sent and received.
These technologies build the environment for virtual work in teams, with members who may never meet each other in person. Communicating by telephone and e-mail, with work products shared electronically, virtual team
Team
A team comprises a group of people or animals linked in a common purpose. Teams are especially appropriate for conducting tasks that are high in complexity and have many interdependent subtasks.A group in itself does not necessarily constitute a team...
s produce results without being co-located.
Similarly, a virtual world is a type of habitation founded upon web technology that allows interactions for pursuits, such as economy and real estate
Second Life
Second Life is an online virtual world developed by Linden Lab. It was launched on June 23, 2003. A number of free client programs, or Viewers, enable Second Life users, called Residents, to interact with each other through avatars...
.
See also
- Virtualization (disambiguation)
- Virtual machineVirtual machineA virtual machine is a "completely isolated guest operating system installation within a normal host operating system". Modern virtual machines are implemented with either software emulation or hardware virtualization or both together.-VM Definitions:A virtual machine is a software...
- Virtual realityVirtual realityVirtual reality , also known as virtuality, is a term that applies to computer-simulated environments that can simulate physical presence in places in the real world, as well as in imaginary worlds...
- Virtuality (software design)Virtuality (software design)Virtuality is a term used by Ted Nelson for what he considers the central issues of software design. "Virtuality" refers to the seeming of anything, as opposed to its reality. . Everything has a reality and a virtuality. Nelson divides virtuality into two parts: conceptual structure and feel...
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