1 Java Virtual Machine Technology Overview

This chapter describes the implementation of the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) and the main features of the Java HotSpot technology:

• Adaptive compiler: A standard interpreter is used to launch the applications. When the application runs, the code is analyzed to detect performance bottlenecks, or hot spots. The Java HotSpot VM compiles the performance-critical portions of the code for a boost in performance, but does not compile the seldom-used code (most of the application). The Java HotSpot VM uses the adaptive compiler to decide how to optimize compiled code with techniques such as inlining.
• Rapid memory allocation and garbage collection: Java HotSpot technology provides rapid memory allocation for objects and fast, efficient, state-of-the-art garbage collectors.
• Thread synchronization: Java HotSpot technology provides a thread-handling capability that is designed to scale for use in large, shared-memory multiprocessor servers.

In Oracle Java Runtime Environment (JRE) 8 and earlier, different implementations of the JVM, (the client VM, server VM, and minimal VM) were supported for configurations commonly used as clients, as servers, and for embedded systems. Because most systems can now take advantage of the server VM, only that VM implementation is provided in later versions.