Java virtual machine

Java Virtual Machine

Software from Sun that converts a program in Java bytecode (intermediate language) into machine language and executes it. The Java Virtual Machine (JVM) is the runtime engine of the Java Platform, which allows any program written in Java or other language compiled into Java bytecode to run on any computer that has a native JVM. JVMs run in both clients and servers, and the Web browser can activate the JVM when it encounters a Java applet.

The JVM includes a just-in-time (JIT) compiler that converts the bytecode into machine language so that it runs as fast as a native executable. The compiled program can be cached in the computer for reuse.

Microsoft had its own Java Virtual Machine (JVM) for several years, but terminated its support at the end of 2007. See Java, Java Runtime Environment, bytecode and intermediate language.

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Java virtual machine [¦jäv·ə ‚vər·chə·wəl mə′shēn]

(computer science)

An interpreter that translates Java bytecode into actual machine instructions in real time. Abbreviated JVM.

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(language, architecture)

Java Virtual Machine - (JVM) A specification for software which interprets Java programs that have been compiled into byte-codes, and usually stored in a ".class" file. The JVM instruction set is stack-oriented, with variable instruction length. Unlike some other instruction sets, the JVM's supports object-oriented programming directly by including instructions for object method invocation (similar to subroutine call in other instruction sets). The JVM itself is written in C and so can be ported to run on most platforms. It needs thread support and I/O (for dynamic class loading). The Java byte-code is independent of the platform. There are also some hardware implementations of the JVM. Specification. Sun's Java chip.