Virtual

Virtual is an adjective used to describe something that exists in effect but not in fact or in a physical sense. Derived from the Latin virtus or virtualis, meaning force or potential, it signals likeness or potential presence rather than actual material existence. In everyday language, virtual often means simulated by computers or other technologies; the term is widely used in digital contexts to distinguish the tangible from the computer-generated.

In philosophy and metaphysics, virtuality historically contrasted with actuality, emphasizing potential states that could become actual under certain conditions. In modern usage, the term is applied flexibly to describe capabilities or environments created by software, as well as phenomena that emulate real-world processes.

In computing and information technology, virtual is central. Virtualization describes techniques that abstract hardware resources so that multiple virtual environments or operating systems can run on a single physical machine. This includes virtual memory, which uses disk storage to extend RAM; virtual devices and virtual machines; and computer virtualization platforms like hypervisors. Virtual reality refers to computer-generated environments that simulate sensory experiences; virtual environments and containers facilitate software development and deployment. Virtual environments also appear in programming languages, such as virtual environments in Python or virtual functions in object-oriented languages.

Other common uses include virtual meetings, virtual currencies, and virtual assistants, referring to online or software-based equivalents of real-world entities. The term continues to expand as technologies create more sophisticated simulations and digital representations.