Software Emulation
Software emulation is a technique where a computer program (the emulator) mimics the behavior of another computer system or hardware component, allowing software designed for that system to run on a different platform. It involves interpreting or translating the original system's instructions and replicating its hardware features in software. This enables compatibility across diverse architectures, such as running old video games on modern PCs or testing software for embedded devices on standard computers.
Developers should learn software emulation for cross-platform development, legacy system maintenance, and hardware testing without physical access. It is essential in scenarios like emulating ARM-based mobile devices on x86 PCs for app testing, running outdated operating systems for software preservation, or simulating network hardware for cybersecurity analysis. Emulation reduces costs and risks by enabling virtualized environments for debugging and compatibility checks.