Exploring JVM Bytecode: A Deep Dive into Java's Underlying Language
The article explores the inner workings of JVM bytecode, providing a detailed explanation of how it functions. It discusses the two main data structures used by the JVM - the stack and the local variables - and how they are utilized during method execution. The article also highlights the flexibility of the local variables, which can be used as both method arguments and scratch space. It mentions the historical oddity of 64-bit values occupying one slot in the stack but two slots in the local variables. The article briefly touches on the verification process that the JVM goes through when loading a class to ensure coherence. It concludes with a simple example that demonstrates the execution of a method and the modification of the program counter. This article is a must-read for developers looking to gain a deeper understanding of JVM bytecode and its inner workings.