The Java Virtual Machine Specification

From the Publisher: The nucleus of the Java 2 platform, the Java virtual machine is the technology that enables the Java 2 platform to host applications on any computer or operating system without rewriting or recompiling. This book was written by those directly responsible for the design and implementation of the Java virtual machine, and is the complete and definitive specification for the technology. It is an essential reference for writers of compilers for the Java programming language and implementors of the Java virtual machine. This second edition specifies the newest version of the Java virtual machine and provides a fascinating view into the inner workings of the Java 2 platform.