Java virtual machine

Also known as JVM, Java VM, JavaVM

runtime environment that can execute Java bytecode as a result of compiling computer programs written in the Java programming language

Key facts

Designer: Sun Microsystems
Bits: 32-bit , 64-bit
Introduced: 1994 ; 32 years ago ( 1994 )
Version: Java SE 26
Type: Stack and register–register
Encoding: Variable
Branching: Compare and branch
Endianness: Big
Open: Yes
General purpose: Per-method operand stack (up to 65535 operands) plus per-method local variables (up to 65535)

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Stack Exchange tag: stackoverflow.com/tags/jvm
Commons category: Java Virtual Machine

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Article

Overview of a Java virtual machine (JVM) architecture based on The Java Virtual Machine Specification Java SE 7 Edition A Java virtual machine (JVM) is a virtual machine that enables a computer to run Java programs as well as programs written in other languages, other languages referred to as JVM languages that are also compiled to Java bytecode. The JVM is detailed by a specification that formally describes what is required in a JVM implementation. Having a specification ensures interoperability of Java programs across different implementations so that program authors using the Java Development Kit (JDK) need not worry about idiosyncrasies of the underlying hardware platform.

The JVM reference implementation is developed by the OpenJDK project as open source code and includes a JIT compiler called HotSpot. The commercially supported Java releases available from Oracle are based on the OpenJDK runtime. Eclipse OpenJ9 is another open source JVM for OpenJDK.