byte-code

byte-code

   <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)