# qemu/qemu

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12,714 stars · 6,530 forks · C · other

## Links

- GitHub: https://github.com/qemu/qemu
- Homepage: http://www.qemu.org
- awesome-repositories: https://awesome-repositories.com/repository/qemu-qemu.md

## Topics

`emulation` `qemu` `virtualization`

## Description

QEMU is a cross-platform system emulator and hardware virtualization platform that enables the execution of multiple isolated operating systems on a single host machine. It functions as a processor architecture emulator, translating machine instructions between different hardware platforms to allow software designed for one architecture to run on another.

The project distinguishes itself through a modular target architecture that separates core emulation logic from specific hardware definitions, supporting a wide range of processor and peripheral configurations. It utilizes dynamic binary translation to convert guest instructions into host-native code and leverages hardware-assisted virtualization to execute guest operating system code directly on the host processor for near-native performance.

Beyond general system virtualization, the software provides a device emulation layer that simulates virtualized hardware components, such as disk controllers and network cards, to interact with guest systems. It manages system resources through a micro-kernel-style control layer and handles concurrent input and output operations using asynchronous multiplexing. These capabilities support diverse technical requirements, including embedded systems development, legacy software preservation, and cross-platform compatibility testing.

## Tags

### DevOps & Infrastructure

- [Virtualization Platforms](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/devops-infrastructure/virtualization-platforms.md) — Executes multiple isolated operating systems simultaneously on a single host machine using hardware acceleration.

### Operating Systems & Systems Programming

- [System Emulators](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/operating-systems-systems-programming/virtualization-emulation/hardware-emulators/hardware-interface-emulators/system-emulators.md) — Provides full system emulation and user-mode emulation for various processor architectures and peripheral devices.
- [Guest Operating Systems](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/operating-systems-systems-programming/virtualization-emulation/host-guest-integration-tools/guest-operating-systems.md) — Executes multiple isolated operating systems simultaneously on a single host machine using hardware acceleration. ([source](http://www.qemu.org/documentation))
- [Hardware Emulators](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/operating-systems-systems-programming/virtualization-emulation/virtualization-platforms/virtualization-technologies/hardware-emulators.md) — Translates machine instructions between different hardware platforms to run software designed for one architecture on another. ([source](http://www.qemu.org/documentation))
- [Hardware-Accelerated Hypervisors](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/operating-systems-systems-programming/virtualization-emulation/virtualization-platforms/virtualization-technologies/hardware-accelerated-hypervisors.md) — Executes multiple isolated operating systems simultaneously on a single host machine while leveraging hardware acceleration for near-native performance.
- [Dynamic Binary Translators](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/operating-systems-systems-programming/instruction-translation-accelerators/dynamic-binary-translators.md) — Translates guest machine instructions into host-native code blocks at runtime to enable cross-architecture execution.
- [Hardware Emulators](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/operating-systems-systems-programming/virtualization-emulation/hardware-emulators.md) — Simulates virtualized hardware components like disk controllers and network cards to interact with guest systems.
- [Legacy System Preservation](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/operating-systems-systems-programming/virtualization-emulation/legacy-system-preservation.md) — Maintains access to older operating systems and software on modern hardware to support legacy applications.

### Development Tools & Productivity

- [Cross-Platform Compatibility](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/development-tools-productivity/platforms-runtimes-language-services/cross-platform-compatibility.md) — Enables running applications or operating systems designed for one processor architecture on a different physical host machine.

### Software Engineering & Architecture

- [Embedded Systems Development](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/software-engineering-architecture/development-methodologies/application-targets-domains/embedded-systems-development.md) — Provides environments for testing and debugging firmware or software for specialized hardware platforms without needing the physical target device.