[W/K] :: Java Virtual Machine

  Java Virtual Machine
       
           (JVM) A specification for software
          which interprets Java programs that have been compiled into
          byte-codes, and usually stored in a ".class" file.  The JVM
          instruction set is stack-oriented, with variable
          instruction length.  Unlike some other instruction sets, the
          JVM's supports object-oriented programming directly by
          including instructions for object method invocation (similar
          to subroutine call in other instruction sets).
       
          The JVM itself is written in C and so can be ported to run
          on most platforms.  It needs thread support and I/O (for
          dynamic class loading).  The Java byte-code is independent
          of the platform.
       
          There are also some hardware implementations of the JVM.
       
          Specification
          (http://www.javasoft.com/docs/books/vmspec/html/VMSpecTOC.doc.html).
       
          Sun's Java chip
          (http://news.com/News/Item/0,4,9328,00.html).
       
          [Documentation?  Versions?]
       
          (2000-01-03)