Use what you learned in the previous lesson to solve real-world problems.

Check what you understood with a short quiz.

Reason through what javac produces when it compiles: .class files containing JVM bytecode and metadata, not operating-system-specific machine code.

Use what you learned in the previous lesson to solve real-world problems.

Recognize why the same compiled .class file can run on different systems: each platform has its own JVM that understands the same bytecode format.

Use what you learned in the previous lesson to solve real-world problems.

Check what you understood with a short quiz.

Follow what happens when the java launcher starts a program: it creates a JVM process, names a starting class, and asks the JVM to begin there.

Use what you learned in the previous lesson to solve real-world problems.

Identify the main method as the program’s entry point and reason through why its signature lets the JVM call it before your own objects exist.

Use what you learned in the previous lesson to solve real-world problems.

Check what you understood with a short quiz.

Trace how the JVM finds code beyond the starting class, using the classpath, module path, JAR files, and the built-in runtime image to locate classes as needed.

Use what you learned in the previous lesson to solve real-world problems.

Step through the JVM’s safety checks before code runs: class loading, bytecode verification, linking, and class initialization prepare classes for execution.

Use what you learned in the previous lesson to solve real-world problems.

Check what you understood with a short quiz.

Compare interpretation and just-in-time compilation so you can explain how the JVM starts running bytecode quickly and later optimizes frequently used code.

Use what you learned in the previous lesson to solve real-world problems.

Map the main runtime memory areas a Java program uses, including the call stack for active method calls and the heap for objects shared across calls.

Use what you learned in the previous lesson to solve real-world problems.

Check what you understood with a short quiz.

Reason through garbage collection as a JVM service that reclaims heap objects your program can no longer reach, reducing manual memory management.

Use what you learned in the previous lesson to solve real-world problems.

Recognize how compiled programs are packaged for sharing: JAR files bundle class files and resources, and a manifest can name the class to launch.

Use what you learned in the previous lesson to solve real-world problems.

Check what you understood with a short quiz.

Review this chapter with practice based on your mistakes.