Install Ubuntu on a Virtual Machine

A Virtual Machine software allows you to create Virtual PC's  (with virtual ram, processor, hard drives, etc) and allows you to install any operating systems of your choice. The advantage of using a virtual machine is that you can do whatever you want on the VM without damaging your original Operating System. 

Creating the Virtual Machine

The first step to is to install Oracle's VM VirtualBox.

Choose your download depending on the Operating system you are using.

Here's the link to download Oracle VM VirtualBox

Once the installation is done we will have to download Ubuntu iso, (you can choose any linux flavor you want. Since Ubuntu is simple to install and use I would recommend Ubuntu for beginners).

Now that you have installed Oracle VM VirtualBox and Downloaded the Ubuntu iso lets create a Virtual Machine

Step 1: 

After you have opened the Oracle VM VirtualBox click on New. 

Step 2:

Now enter any name for the Virtual Machine, I have entered Ubuntu. Also select Type: Linux and
Version: Ubuntu and click Next.

Step 3:

The next step is to select the amount of RAM you want to allocate to your VM. 

Since you are only going to use it run C and other basic operations, 512 MB would be sufficient.
If you have more than 2GB of RAM on your system you can be more generous. Anything around 1024 MB will be good enough.

Step 4:

The next step is to create a virtual Hard Drive. This is the place on your system where the VM will be installed. To create a virtual Hard Drive follow these steps

1. Select Create a Virtual Hard drive now
2. Select VirtualBox Disk Image 
3. Depending on your choice select Fixed size or Dynamic. If you have limited free space available on your hard drive i recommend you to go with Fixed Size.
4. Finally browse the path where you want to create this Virtual Hard Drive and select the space you want to allocate to it. I recommend using 8 GB. The minimum space requirement for Ubuntu is 5.3 GB, hence if you don't have 8 GB of free space, i recommend you use at least 5.4 GB

Congratulations, Your VM is created !!!

Installing an Operating System on the Virtual Machine

Now the only thing left to do is install the Operating System on it. Here we are going to install Ubuntu from the iso you downloaded earlier.

Since this is the first time we are starting the Virtual Machine we need to install the Operating System.

Step 1: 

Click on Start. and Locate the ubuntu iso file you downloaded earlier. Selecting start will turn on the machine.

Step 2:

Now click on Install Ubuntu.

For those who have a fast internet connection can choose to download updates. Installing third party software is also optional. Now click Continue (isn't that obvious).

Step 3:

Click Install. Then select the country you belong to(this information is required to set date and time).

Select the Language and Keyboard type. Don't change the default language and keyboard type unless 
explicitly required.

Step 4: 

1. Enter your name.
2. Optionally edit your computer name.
3. Pick a username.
4. Enter a password

For users who don't want to enter their password every time they log in, select the option Log in automatically.

Click Continue and site aside till the installation gets completed.

Once the installation is completed you will be prompted to Restart.

If you have followed all the steps properly Ubuntu will b up and running, ready for you ti use.

And finally, you don't need to worry about uninstalling Ubuntu. You can simply delete the virtual machine by 
Right clicking on the virtual machine and selecting Remove in the Oracle VM VirtualBox Manager