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Java Virtual Machine Architecture

The JVM architecture has various subcomponents including a class loader subsystem, runtime data area, and execution engine. The class loader subsystem loads classes into memory, verifies bytecodes, and allocates memory. The runtime data area contains the method area, heap, Java and native method stacks, and program counter registers. The execution engine contains an interpreter and JIT compiler that convert bytecode to machine code.

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17 views

Java Virtual Machine Architecture

The JVM architecture has various subcomponents including a class loader subsystem, runtime data area, and execution engine. The class loader subsystem loads classes into memory, verifies bytecodes, and allocates memory. The runtime data area contains the method area, heap, Java and native method stacks, and program counter registers. The execution engine contains an interpreter and JIT compiler that convert bytecode to machine code.

Uploaded by

Diana Hartan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Java Virtual Machine (JVM) architecture

If you start learning Java, you would want to learn full details of how JVM really functioning. In this
section, I'm going to explain JVM (Java Virtual Machine) architecture.

Figure: JVM Architecture

JVM has various sub components internally. You can see all of them from the above diagram.

1. Class loader sub system: JVM's class loader sub system performs 3 tasks
a. It loads .class file into memory.
b. It verifies byte code instructions.
c. It allots memory required for the program.

2. Run time data area: This is the memory resource used by JVM and it is divided into 5 parts
a. Method area: Method area stores class code and method code.
b. Heap: Objects are created on heap.
c. Java stacks: Java stacks are the places where the Java methods are executed. A Java stack contains
frames. On each frame, a separate method is executed.
d. Program counter registers: The program counter registers store memory address of the
instruction to be executed by the microprocessor.
e. Native method stacks: The native method stacks are places where native methods (for example, C
language programs) are executed. Native method is a function, which is written in another language other
than Java.

3. Native method interface: Native method interface is a program that connects native methods libraries
(C header files) with JVM for executing native methods.

4. Native method library: holds the native libraries information.

5. Execution engine: Execution engine contains interpreter and JIT compiler, which covert byte code into
machine code. JVM uses optimization technique to decide which part to be interpreted and which part to
be used with JIT compiler. The HotSpot represents the block of code executed by JIT compiler.

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