What is the purpose of using a virtual device or emulator in Android Studio?

Using a virtual device or emulator in Android Studio allows developers to test their applications on a simulated Android environment, which closely resembles the characteristics of a physical device. This capability is essential because it lets developers see how their apps perform across different devices, operating systems, and screen sizes without needing to own each model physically.

Choosing a virtual device means you can conveniently load your application and simulate user interactions, which helps to identify issues or bugs that might occur on real devices. This method is a significant time-saver and enables quicker iterations and troubleshooting during the app development process, ensuring that developers can test various scenarios and configurations efficiently.

The other options do not accurately represent the primary purpose of using an emulator. For instance, showing error messages is not the core function of an emulator, while experimenting with the app code can happen in any development environment. Testing an app in a web browser is also unrelated to the specific features and functionalities that an Android emulator provides.