What is JVM JIT compilation and how does it work?

What is JVM JIT compilation and how does it work?

JVM JIT compilation stands for Just-In-Time compilation. It improves the performance of Java applications by converting bytecode into native machine code at runtime.

Why is JIT compilation faster than interpretation?

JIT compilation is faster because it translates bytecode into native code once, allowing the CPU to execute it directly, while interpretation translates bytecode line-by-line, which is slower.

Are there any downsides to using JIT compilation?

Yes, JIT compilation can lead to increased memory usage and longer startup times since it compiles code during execution.

How does JIT compilation affect garbage collection?

JIT compilation can impact garbage collection by increasing the amount of memory used, which may lead to more frequent garbage collection cycles.

Can JIT compilation be disabled in the JVM?

Yes, you can disable JIT compilation by using the -Xint option when starting the JVM, which forces it to interpret bytecode instead.