Final answer:
Byte code is the intermediate code compiled from Java source code, which can be executed by the Java Virtual Machine (JVM). The JVM loads, verifies, and then executes the byte code by converting it into machine code through a Just-In-Time compiler or interpreter. This permits Java to be platform-independent.
Step-by-step explanation:
What is Byte Code?
Byte code is a form of instruction set designed for efficient execution by a software interpreter or a virtual machine. In the context of Java, byte code is the compiled code the Java compiler generates from source code written in the Java programming language. Each Java source file is compiled into a corresponding .class file, which contains the byte code. Byte code is an intermediate code that is neither machine code (specific to hardware) nor high-level code (written by the programmer).
How the JVM Uses Byte Code
The Java Virtual Machine (JVM) is the environment in which Java byte code is executed. When you run a Java application, the JVM reads the byte code from the .class files. The JVM performs several steps for execution:
- Loading: The JVM loads the byte code into the memory.
- Verification: The byte code is verified for security and integrity.
- Execution: A Just-In-Time (JIT) compiler or interpreter then translates the byte code into machine code, which is executed by the host machine's CPU.
This bytecode execution process allows the Java code to be platform-independent, as the JVM acts as an abstraction layer between the bytecode and the hardware.