bytecode

Virtual machine food

Bytecode is program code compiled into a compact intermediate form that runs on a virtual machine rather than directly on hardware.

Languages like Java and Python compile source code to bytecode, which a runtime interpreter then executes.

This allows the same bytecode to run on different operating systems without recompilation: The Java bytecode runs identically on Windows and Linux.

execution

interpreter

One who conveys meaning between languages

virtual machineEmulated computer system
JVMJava bytecode executor
runtimeProgram execution duration

instruction set · invoke · dispatch

platforms

Java

Programming language from Sun

PythonLarge nonvenomous squeezer
LuaLightweight embeddable scripting language
portabilityEase of carrying

cross-platform · applet

compilation

compiler

Source-to-machine-code translator

transpilerCode-to-code converter
intermediateBetween two levels
linkerCombiner of separate parts

emit · parsing · semantic · syntax · typechecking · backend · build · precompiled · transpilation · decompiler

optimization

hotspot

Area of notable activity

peepholeDoor-mounted viewing lens
profilingCharacterizing by patterns
benchmarkingMeasuring against top performers

performance · speedup · throughput · latency · warmup

Categories

JavaJDK, JAR, JVM, packages, package
.NET RuntimeJIT, garbage collection, assemblies, CTS, CLI
build outputsexecutable, binary, exe file, APK, IPA
compiler IRSSA, quadruples, triples, abstract syntax tree
executablesprograms, exe, binaries, binary, program
Interpreter Internalsinterpreter, compiler, parser, tokenizer, garbage collection

Opposites

compilation level

bytecodesource code

Programming instructions before compilation

machine code · assembly language · object code

Family

code, decode, codify, codes, coding, coder, encoded, encode, codex

Familiarity: Top 1,000,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Rated G