Why is Java a platform independent language?
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- May 03, 2025
Java is considered a platform-independent language because of its use of the Java Virtual Machine (JVM). Here's how that works:
1. Compile Once, Run Anywhere: When you write Java code, it's compiled into an intermediate form called bytecode (.class files). This bytecode is not platform-specific—it doesn't depend on the operating system or hardware.
2. Java Virtual Machine (JVM): The bytecode runs on the JVM, which is platform-specific software.
There are different JVMs for Windows, Linux, macOS, etc., but they all understand the same bytecode. So, as long as a machine has a compatible JVM installed, it can run any Java program.
Summary: Java is platform-independent at the source and bytecode level because its programs run on the JVM, which abstracts away the underlying hardware and OS.
1. Compile Once, Run Anywhere: When you write Java code, it's compiled into an intermediate form called bytecode (.class files). This bytecode is not platform-specific—it doesn't depend on the operating system or hardware.
2. Java Virtual Machine (JVM): The bytecode runs on the JVM, which is platform-specific software.
There are different JVMs for Windows, Linux, macOS, etc., but they all understand the same bytecode. So, as long as a machine has a compatible JVM installed, it can run any Java program.
Summary: Java is platform-independent at the source and bytecode level because its programs run on the JVM, which abstracts away the underlying hardware and OS.
