Java - What is Byte Code ? Why Java's intermediary Code is called Byte Code ?


Bytecode is a highly optimized set of instructions designed to be executed by the Java run-time system. Its called Byte Code because each instruction is of 1-2 bytes.

Sample instructions in Byte Code -

1: istore_1
2: iload_1
3: sipush 1000
6: if_icmpge 44
9: iconst_2
10: istore_2