Java programmers at every level will find this easy-to-understand yet technically rich description of the Java Virtual Machine (JVM)—the engine of the Java language—an invaluable tool in writing better and more efficient Java code. Lively text and entertaining Java applets on the included CD-ROM demystify the elusive JVM and explain all aspects of the JVM architecture, facilities and operation—from Java stacks, class files, bytecodes, conversions and verification to the just-in-time compiler implementation of JVM. Complete reference information is also provided for the JVM class file format and all JVM bytecodes.