byte-code
     
         a binary file containing an
        executable program, formed by a sequence of op code/data
        pairs.
     
        byte-code op codes are most often fixed size binary patterns,
        but can be variable size.  the data portion consists of zero
        or more bits, the format of the data portion may be
        determined by the identifier.  the data is most often variable
        in size.
     
        in some cases, by clever design, e.g. some risc
        instruction sets the identifier/data pair is a fixed size.
        this can provide performance benefits.
     
        a byte-code program is normally interpreted by a byte-code
        interpreter.  the advantage of this technique compared with
        outputing machine code for a particular processor is that
        the same byte-code can be executed on any processor on which
        the byte-code interpreter runs.  the byte-code may be compiled
        to machine code "native code" for speed of execution but
        this usually requires significantly greater effort for each
        new taraget architecture than simply porting the interpreter.
     
        for example, java is compiled to byte-code which runs on the
        java virtual machine.
     
        1998-08-30
     
     
see also:
binary executable op code bits risc instruction sets 
byte-code interpreter machine code java java virtual machine