**What is VM instance?**\
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A **VM instance** (Virtual Machine instance) is a virtualized computing resource that functions like a physical computer but operates on virtual hardware within a cloud environment. In services like Google Cloud Compute Engine, VM instances allow you to run applications, host websites, and perform computations without the need for physical servers. They are scalable, allowing you to adjust resources such as CPU, memory, and storage as needed, and isolated, ensuring that different workloads run independently. VM instances offer flexibility and configurability, enabling you to select various operating systems and machine types to meet specific requirements.