Architecture Neutral

• Java does not compile into machine language, it compiles into bytecodes.
• Those bytecodes are not platform specific, they can run on any machine with a Java Virtual Machine.
• The Java Virtual Machine, however, is platform specific, so you have to download the proper JVM for your platform.  The JVM interprets the bytecodes into machine language.
• What does this mean?  You don't have to have different builds for every type of platform.  You just make the bytecode, the JVM does the rest.
• Java can run on:
• Windows 95 and later.
• Unix and flavors (linux, solaris, etc.)
• Macintosh
• Mainframes
• Palm OS
• Embedded Java microchips, like JStamp and JStamp.

Note, the KVM is the virtual machine for small, low power and low memory devices like Palms.

Created by:  Brandan Jones December 4, 2001