Book Image

Mastering the Java Virtual Machine

By : Otavio Santana
Book Image

Mastering the Java Virtual Machine

By: Otavio Santana

Overview of this book

Mastering the Java Virtual Machine is a comprehensive guide that will take you into the heart of Java programming, guiding you through the intricate workings of the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) and equipping you with essential skills to become a proficient Java developer. You’ll start by understanding the JVM, exploring its architecture and how it executes Java code. Through detailed explanations and real-world examples, you’ll gain a deep understanding of JVM internals, enabling you to write efficient and optimized Java applications. As you progress, you’ll delve into memory management and execution, unraveling the complexities of heap and stack management, garbage collection, and memory profiling. You'll learn how memory is allocated and reclaimed in the JVM, as well as how to optimize memory usage and identify performance bottlenecks in your applications. With this knowledge, you’ll be able to create Java programs that are not only robust but also highly performant. By the end of this book, you’ll have the skills needed to excel in Java programming, writing efficient, maintainable code.
Table of Contents (19 chapters)
Free Chapter
1
Part 1: Understanding the JVM
5
Part 2: Memory Management and Execution
9
Part 3: Alternative JVMs
12
Part 4: Advanced Java Topics

Bytecode unveiled

Bytecode, a pivotal concept in Java programming, is the intermediary language that facilitates the cross-platform compatibility and execution of Java applications on the JVM. This session aims to demystify bytecode, providing a comprehensive overview of its significance, purpose, and the spectrum of operations it enables within the JVM.

At its core, bytecode acts as a bridge between high-level Java code and the machine-specific language of the underlying hardware. When a Java program is compiled, the source code is transformed into bytecode, a set of instructions comprehensible to the JVM. This platform-independent bytecode allows Java applications to execute seamlessly across diverse environments, a fundamental tenet of Java’s Write Once, Run Anywhere mantra.

Why do we have bytecode? The answer lies in the portability and versatility it brings to Java applications. By introducing an intermediate step between the high-level source code and machine code...