Inside the Java Virtual Machine (Java Masters Series)

Discusses the origin and purpose of the Java language, platform independence, security, network mobility, and related issues, and provides detailed information and advice for programmers Read more Continue reading Read less REVIEW
Before I delve into the structure and content of this book, I would like to mention the aspect of Venners's book that impressed me most of all: the sheer attention to detail and consistent accuracy of his writing. I've reviewed quite a few Java books in the last 12 months, and found that the majority are written by authors who use established terminology in a highly unprofessional, sloppy way. Bill Venners's book lies at the opposite, positive end of the scale: I could almost feel the concentration that went into the wording of every single phrase. Words with technically precise semantics like "type," "reference," "class," "object," and "interface" are used to express their precise, Java-specific meaning -- never in a technically incorrect sense. Because so many Java books are not written to such standards of technical excellence, I urge current and future Java book authors to read Venners's book. -- (Laurence Vanhelsuwe, JavaWorld, March 1998 FROM THE BACK COVER
Want to write better Java programs? Look under the hood and see what makes the ingenious Java engine run! This easy-to-understand yet technically rich description of the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) --the engine of the Java language--is your key to writing more efficient and effective Java code. It provides a complete JVM tutorial and desktop programmer's reference that explains all aspects of the JVM architecture, facilities, and operation--everything you need to know about JVM to get the best possible performance from your Java applications. A combination of lively text and entertaining Java applets on CD-ROM demystify the elusive JVM for which all Java programs are compiled. Each chapter includes practical and invaluable Java programming tips and a major simulation applet--the source code of which is included on the CD-ROM--that interactively illustrates the concepts presented in the chapter. All key JVM concepts and issues are explored: the Java landscape and JVM structure, including the Java stack architecture and operation; class files, bytecodes, conversions, and verification during class loading; arithmetic, logical, and array operations and control flow; method invocation and return, exceptions, garbage collection and threads; the just-in-time compiler implementation of JVM. What's more, you get a complete reference to the JVM class file format, all JVM bytecodes, and their values. When you understand how the JVM behaves based on the bytecodes generated from the Java compiler--as this books helps you to do--you'll be able to write better, more efficient Java code. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Bill Venners (Mountain View, CA) is an 11-year Silicon Valley veteran. He has developed software for the consumer electronics, semiconductor, and life insurance industries and is currently focused on Java--writing a column titled ``Under the Hood'' for JavaWorld. Bill is president of his own custom software development and consulting firm. ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Bill Venners (Mountain View, CA) is an 11-year Silicon Valley veteran. He has developed software for the consumer electronics, semiconductor, and life insurance industries and is currently focused on Java - writing a column titled "Under the Hood" for JavaWorld. Bill is president of his own custom software development and consulting firm. Read more Continue reading Read less