Java and Just-in-time Compiler
l Portable” languages e.g., Java
Does not compile directly to CPU native code
Interpretive execution of common bytecodes on
JVMs (Java VM)
Speed problem 1/10 1/100 vs. optim. native code)
l Just-In-Time compiler to the rescue
Rather old idea: Smalltalk, etc.
Compile bytecode into native code at runtime
1/2 1/10 vs. optim. native code
l Sun, MS, IBM, Symantec, Fujitsu, etc.,
vigorously developing “the best” Java JIT. (e.g.,
HotSpot