An emulator is a computer or program that emulates or imitates another computer or program. For example, emulators make it possible to run Windows on a Mac computer and vice versa. Learn how emulators work and why you might want to use an emulator.
How do emulators work?
IBM came up with the concept of computer emulation as a way to run programs designed for older machines on newer models. The method IBM used relied on a combination of software and hardware specifically designed for emulation. Rather than designing new applications for its new computers, built-in backward compatibility gave developers more flexibility.
Nowadays, the term emulator is often used in the context of video games. The video game emulator became popular in the 90s because it allowed people to play older console games on modern desktop computers. With the proliferation of smartphones and tablets, there is also an increasing demand for emulators that can run iOS or Android on PCs.
Different types of emulators use different emulation techniques. However, the end goal is always the same: to replicate the experience of using the original hardware or software. Some emulators surpass the performance of the original product and include additional features.
