jvm

(JVM) is a virtual machine that interprets and executes Java bytecode. This code is most often generated by Java language compilers, although the JVM can also be targeted by compilers of other languages. JVMs may be developed by other companies as long as they adhere to the JVM standard published by Sun. The JVM is a crucial component of the Java Platform. Because JVMs are available for many hardware and software platforms, Java can be both middleware and a platform in its own right — hence the expression "write once, run anywhere." The use of the same bytecode for all platforms allows Java to be described as "compile once, run anywhere", as opposed to "write once, compile anywhere", which describes cross-platform compiled languages.