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

Show me the bytecode

As our exploration of Java bytecode continues, we now set our sights on the entire class, a comprehensive dive into the binary representation of Java programs. It’s worth noting that the bytecode we examine may vary depending on the JVM version and the specific JVM vendor. In this session, we unravel the intricacies of compiling and examining the bytecode that encapsulates the essence of a complete Java class. From class initialization to method implementations, every facet of the class manifests in bytecode. Together, let us lift the veil on the holistic view of Java programs, exploring the nuances of how our code transforms into a language understood by the JVM.

In our journey through Java bytecode, let’s begin by crafting a simple yet versatile Animal class. The following is the Java code snippet that defines the class:

public class Animal {    private String name;
    public String name() {
 ...