Which term refers to a virtualization approach where an application runs in isolated user space on the host OS?

• A. Containerization
• B. Application Streaming
• C. Private Cloud
• D. SaaS

Answer: (A)

Containers use OS-level virtualization to run an application in its own isolated user space on the host operating system. This means the app shares the host kernel but is isolated from other processes through mechanisms like namespaces and control groups, giving you process and filesystem separation while keeping the footprint light and startup times fast. Because the container bundles the app and its dependencies, it can run consistently across different environments, improving portability and scalability.

This approach differs from full virtualization, which relies on separate hypervisors and guest kernels, making it heavier. It also isn’t about how software is delivered or operated (like streaming, private cloud, or SaaS); those terms describe deployment or service models rather than how isolation and execution are achieved. This makes containerization the best fit for the described scenario.