How It Works

Java technology-based software is typically delivered over a network, and can also be installed on computers from traditional media such as CD-ROMs. The same program or software component can run on a variety of computers and devices.

Programs written in the Java programming language run on so many different kinds of systems thanks to a component of the platform called the Java virtual machine* -- a kind of translator that turns general Java platform instructions into tailored commands that make the devices do their work.

Want to know more? Click on any of the illustrations below to see how the Java virtual machine and Java technology-based software work on that particular device.

	Screen Phone with PersonalJava and Web Browser	Mobile Phone with PersonalJava or EmbeddedJava	Desktop Computer with Java-enabled Web Browser
	Desktop Computer with Java technology-based application	Network Computer	Server with Java technology-based applications or servlets
*As used on this web site, the terms "Java virtual machine" or "JVM" mean a virtual machine for the Java platform.

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