What is virtualization in the context of computer science?

Virtualization refers to the creation of virtual versions of hardware or software environments, which allows for running multiple instances and environments on a single physical machine. This concept leverages existing physical resources to run different operating systems or applications in isolated environments or virtual machines.

With virtualization, resources such as CPUs, memory, and storage can be allocated dynamically, allowing for increased efficiency, better resource utilization, and reduced operational costs. This makes it possible to deploy and manage applications more effectively, especially in data centers and cloud computing environments, where flexibility and scalability are vital.

The other options relate to different concepts. The replication of physical hardware components does not accurately define virtualization, as virtualization focuses on abstraction rather than replication. Merging databases pertains to data management rather than the abstraction of hardware and software environments. Enhancing computational power generally involves methods such as upgrading hardware or parallel processing and does not encompass the broader implications of virtualization. Thus, the correct answer reflects the fundamental principle underlying virtualization technology in computer science.