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

The foundation of execution

With a solid understanding of the compilation process that transforms Java source code into class files and bytecode, we now focus on the fascinating realm of JVM execution. This crucial phase is where the magic happens, as the JVM takes the reins to bring our Java programs to life.

As the JVM receives the compiled class files containing bytecode, the execution engine kicks into action. Bytecode, the intermediary representation of our Java programs, is interpreted in a stack-based execution model. The execution engine dynamically executes the bytecode instructions, manipulating an operand stack. This stack-based approach allows the JVM to process the instructions efficiently, pushing and popping operands onto and from the stack. While bytecode interpretation ensures platform independence, it may introduce performance considerations, which leads us to the next crucial step in the execution journey.

When a JVM program is executed, several steps unfold...