What term is used to describe software emulations of physical computers?

The term used to describe software emulations of physical computers is "Virtual Machines." A virtual machine (VM) operates as an independent environment that behaves like a physical computer, allowing users to run operating systems and applications on it as if it were a separate machine. This technology is fundamental in cloud computing, enabling resource optimization, scalability, and flexibility, as multiple VMs can run on a single physical host while isolating their operations from one another.

In the context of cloud services, virtual machines enable users to deploy applications without needing physical hardware, facilitating easy scalability and management. Understanding virtual machines is crucial for professionals working in cloud environments, as they are the building blocks for many cloud services.