What do the terms class and bytecode mean, and how do they relate to Java?
Java uses a model of programming known as an object orientated model. This method of programming was made popular by languages like C++, which Java was based on in part. In object orientated programming, programs are constructed using building blocks called classes. This is why Java programs are often described as “classes”. Java classes are written in files typically with the extension “.java” and then fed to the Java compiler software. From this “.java” source file a “.class” file is created which contains the actual runnable program. (Assuming you’re class compiled okay, otherwise you’ll end up with a list of the errors and a bit more typing to do!) Thus TestApplet.java (containing Java source code in plain text format) would be compiled into TestApplet.class (containing the runnable program in bytecode format). Programs written for the PC are designed to run on 386/486/Pentium/etc chips. Likewise Macintosh programs are created for the 68000 or PPC chips which do the job of actually
