Java Introduction
Features:
1. Platform Independence (Write Once, Run Anywhere):
2. Automatic Memory Management (Garbage Collection):
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3 ecurity
4. Distributed Computing (RMI, Java EE):
5. Vast Libraries
Why Java is considered a Secure Language
1. B
ytecode Verification: When Java source code is compiled,it's translated into
bytecode. Before executing bytecode, the JVM performs bytecode verification to
ensure it adheres to certain safety constraints, preventing various types of
security vulnerabilities such as buffer overflows and invalid memory access.
Verification Process:
Class File Structure Verification: The JVM first verifiesthe structure of the class
file to ensure it conforms to the required format.
tatic Verification: This involves checks on the bytecodewithout executing it,
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verifying that the bytecode is well-formed and adheres to Java language rules.
This includes checking for correct use of data types, valid method calls, operand
stack manipulation, etc.
ype Safety Verification: This ensures that type safetyis maintained throughout
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the bytecode. For example, operations are performed on compatible data types
and that type casts are valid.
here are no operand stack overflows or underflows
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The types of the parameters of all bytecode instructions are known to always be
correct
Object field accesses are known to jvm or protected
2. S
andboxing: Java's security model includes a conceptcalled the "sandbox,"
which restricts the actions that Java code can perform. For example, Java
applets running in a web browser operate within a restricted environment
( sandbox) that limits their access to the system resources, such as the file
system or network, mitigating the risk of malicious behavior.
. Secure Standard Library: Java's standard library (JavaAPI) includes
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security-focused classes and utilities for tasks such as cryptography, secure
communication (e.g., HTTPS), authentication, and authorization, making it easier
for developers to implement secure solutions.
4. String Immunity: In Java, strings are immutable, meaningonce created, they
cannot be modified. This property helps prevent certain types of security
vulnerabilities, such as string manipulation attacks.
JDK vs JRE vs JVM
Java Development Kit (JDK)
. J
1 DK is a comprehensive software development kit for building Java applications.
2. It includes tools and utilities for developing, debugging, and monitoring Java
programs.
3. JDK contains the Java compiler ( ) to compileJava source code into
javac
bytecode.
4. It also includes the JRE, development tools (e.g.,
javap , ),
javadoc
5. JDK is necessary for developing Java applications, as it provides everything
needed to compile, debug, and run Java code.
Java Runtime Environment (JRE)
1. J RE is a subset of the JDK and provides the runtime environment for executing
Java applications.
2. It includes JVM, Java libraries (such as ),and other necessary files to run
[Link]
Java programs.
3. JRE does not contain development tools like the compiler or debugger; it is
meant solely for running Java applications.
Java Virtual Machine (JVM)
1. J
VM is an abstract computing machine that provides the runtime environment
for executing Java bytecode.
2. It is a specification , several vendors provided the implementation for the JVM.
Different JVM available in the market like Oracle HotSpot, OpenJ9 etc.
3. JVM interprets bytecode or just-in-time (JIT) compiles it into native machine
code for execution.
4. JVM manages memory, garbage collection, and other runtime activities.
Internal Working of JVM
Class Loader Subsystem
It is mainly responsible for 3 activities
1. Loading
2. Linking
3. Initialization
. Loading:Loading means reading the .class filedata from hard disk and store corresponding
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data in method area
For each .class file, JVM will store
Fully qualified class name, fully qualified class name of parent, method and constructor
information, constant pool information
2. Linking:It consist of 3 activities
a) Verification
b) Preparation
c) Resolution
erification:It is the process of ensuring that bytecoderepresentation is correct or not,
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bytecode verifier is responsible for this activity
Preparation:In this Phase, JVM will allocate memoryfor class level static variables and
assigned default values
Resolution:It is the process of replacing all symbolicreference used in our class with original
direct reference from method area. Name of these classes are stored in constant pool
3. Initialization
In this phase, values are assigned to the variablesand the static block will be executed
Different Types of Class Loaders
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1 ootstrap Class Loaders
2. Extension Class Loaders
3. Application Class Loaders
Memory Model of JVM
Method Area
● T he Method Area stores metadata about classes and interfaces, such as the fully
qualified class names, field names, method names, method signatures, access
modifiers, and constant pool information. This metadata is required for proper
class loading, verification, and runtime execution.
● The constant pool, which contains symbolic references, literals, and other
constant values used by the class, is stored in the Method Area. This includes
string literals, numeric constants, class and interface names, method and field
references, and more.
Heap Area
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1 he Heap Area is where objects created by Java programs are allocated
2. The Heap Area supports dynamic memory management through garbage
collection.
3. Arrays and strings in Java are also stored in the Heap Area
It is logically divided into two main component
a) Young Generation
b) Old Generation
Execution Engine
xecution Engine
E
Just In Time (JIT) Compiler