Java Virtual Machine
The Java Virtual Machine (JVM) is a runtime environment that executes Java bytecode, enabling Java programs to run on any device or operating system without modification. It provides memory management, garbage collection, and security features, abstracting hardware and OS details to ensure platform independence. JVM implementations exist for various systems, making Java a 'write once, run anywhere' language.
Developers should learn JVM to build cross-platform Java applications, leverage its robust performance optimizations like just-in-time compilation, and understand memory management for efficient coding. It's essential for enterprise software, Android development (via Dalvik/ART), and running Scala, Kotlin, or Clojure applications that compile to JVM bytecode.