Final answer:
The Java compiler 'javac' converts Java source code into bytecode, which is platform-independent and executed by the JVM, making Java portable.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Java compiler javac translates Java source code into bytecode, which is a highly optimized set of instructions designed to be executed by the Java Virtual Machine (JVM). Bytecode is not an assembler language, bit code, machine code, or platform-dependent code. Instead, it is a platform-independent code that enables Java programs to run on any device that has a JVM, making Java a portable language.