emulatoren

Emulatoren (emulators) are software programs or hardware devices that reproduce the functionality of one computer system on another. They allow software written for one platform to run on a different one, and can also replicate the behavior of complete hardware devices, sometimes down to timing and peripherals.

Fully functioning emulation requires translating processor instructions, I/O operations, and timing signals from the guest architecture to the host hardware. Techniques include interpretation, dynamic recompilation, and, in some cases, hardware-assisted emulation. Emulators aim to be accurate, but performance and compatibility vary by host system and the level of fidelity required for a given use case.

There are software emulators, which run on general-purpose computers, and hardware emulators, such as FPGA-based implementations that model the original circuit at the hardware level. Popular software emulators include game console emulators and cross-architecture runtime environments used in software development. Hardware emulators are often used in hardware design verification or archival projects where exact reproduction is essential.

Applications include video game preservation and playability for obsolete systems, software development and testing across platforms, digital archaeology, and education. Emulation is distinct from virtualization: virtualization runs a guest operating system on compatible hardware with minimal modification, while emulation recreates a different architecture entirely and can support a broader range of software.

The topic covers both historical and contemporary practices, with ongoing research to improve accuracy, performance, and legality. Emulation remains a central tool for access, preservation, and study of older computing systems and software.