Byte Code
Byte Code is an intermediate representation of code that is typically generated after the source code is compiled by a compiler. It is not directly executed by the hardware processor but rather by an interpreter or a virtual machine. This allows for a level of abstraction that makes it possible to run the same byte code on different hardware platforms, provided that the appropriate virtual machine or interpreter is available. Byte code is a crucial part of languages like Java, where the Java compiler converts source code into Java byte code, which is then executed by the Java Virtual Machine (JVM).
The concept of byte code is significant in the realm of programming because it enhances portability and efficiency. By decoupling the code execution from the hardware, developers can write their programs once and run them anywhere, which is the core principle behind the