<file format, software> A binary file containing an
executable program, consisting of a sequence of (op code,
data) pairs.
Byte-code op codes are most often fixed size binary patterns,
but can be variable size. The data portion consists of zero
or more bits whose format typically depends on the op code.
A byte-code program is interpreted by a byte-code
interpreter. The advantage of this technique compared with
outputing machine code for some particular processor is that
the same byte-code can be executed on any processor on which
the byte-code interpreter runs. The byte-code may be compiled
to machine code ("native code") for speed of execution but
this usually requires significantly greater effort for each
new taraget architecture than simply porting the interpreter.
For example, Java is compiled to byte-code which runs on the
Java Virtual Machine.
(2006-05-29)
Nearby terms:
by hand « Byte « byte « byte-code » byte-code compiler » byte-code interpreter » byte compiler
