Final answer:
Parallels is virtualization software that allows Mac users to create virtual machines, enabling them to run Windows programs on macOS as if they were using a separate computer.
Step-by-step explanation:
Parallels is a type of virtualization software, which allows users on a Mac to run Windows programs. This technology operates as if it were two or more separate and independent computers, a concept known as virtual machines.
Virtualization software creates a simulated, or "virtual," computing environment as opposed to a physical one. This can include virtual hardware, operating systems, storage devices, and network resources. Parallels Desktop allows Mac users to run Windows on their Apple hardware seamlessly, enabling them to use applications that would otherwise not be available on macOS.