Oracle Java Virtual Machine 8 - Supported File Formats

Software Overview

The Java Virtual Machine (JVM) is a virtual machine that runs Java programs. Without the JVM installed, a Java program will not run on the host computer. The JVM is included with the Java Runtime Environment (JRE), which is what users encounter most often when they "install Java" on their computers.

One of the great advantages of the Java Virtual Machine is that it allows the same Java program to run on multiple platforms (e.g., Windows, Linux, Mac, etc.) using the same codebase. The JVM interprets the compiled program the same way regardless of the platform on which it runs. The trick is that it is up to the platform-specific JVM to integrate properly with the system so that it is transparent to the user.

The Java programming language and the JVM are great technologies. Yet, while the "write once, run anywhere" feature is convenient for developers, it is often inconvenient for users since they have to install the JVM before a Java program will run on their computers. Given this issue, the JVM is sometimes regarded as annoying. Still, Java has been used to successfully deploy great software applications in diverse end user contexts.

Primary File Type

.CLASS Java Class File

Supported File Types

Additional Related File Types