a platform is any hardware or software used to host an application or service. An application platform, for example, consists of hardware, an operating system and coordinating programs that use the instruction set for a particular processor or microprocessor. In this case, the platform creates a foundation that ensures object code will execute successfully.
Virtual machines allow you to run one operating system emulated within another operating system. Your primary OS
VirtualBox has cross-platform support, and a huge number of features that make running and maintaining virtual machines a breeze. Virtual machine descriptions and parameters are stored entirely in plain-text XML files for easy portability and easy folder sharing. Its "Guest Additions" feature, available for Windows, Linux, and Solaris virtual machines, makes VirtualBox user friendly, allowing you to install software on the virtual machine that grants extra privileges to the host machine for tasks like sharing files, sharing drives and peripherals, and more.
Using virtualized operating systems presents all sorts of opportunities. You don't have to leave your primary and favored operating system to use tools found only in another operating system; you can run a copy of your current operating system to try out new tweaks, tricks, and software to ensure everything works well; you can test new software or browse in an entirely sandboxed OS. One of the great perks of running multiple operating systems in virtualization comes with multiple monitors, you can spread out almost as though you had separate computers hooked up to the same keyboard and mouse.