An overview of the JVM

The JVM is the bedrock upon which the entire Java platform stands. It serves as the silent but omnipresent guardian of Java, facilitating its unique attributes. The JVM is responsible for the platform’s independence from specific hardware and operating systems, the compact size of compiled Java code, and its formidable ability to safeguard users against malicious programs.

In essence, the JVM is an abstract computing machine, not unlike a tangible computer you might find on your desk. It boasts an instruction set and manipulates various memory areas by executing code at runtime. Implementing a programming language using a virtual machine is not new, with one of the most prominent examples being the P-Code machine of UCSD Pascal. This foundation allows the JVM to transcend physical hardware and provide a consistent environment for Java applications.

The journey of the JVM, however, began with a prototype implementation at Sun Microsystems, Inc., where...