What is Bytecode?

Bytecode is a form of instruction set designed for efficient execution by a software-based interpreter, such as the Java Virtual Machine (JVM). Specifically, it consists of architecture-neutral instructions, which means that these instructions are not tied to any specific hardware architecture. This enables Java programs, which are compiled from source code, to run on any platform that has a compatible JVM, making Java a highly portable programming language.

When a Java program is compiled, it is transformed into bytecode instead of machine code specific to a computer's architecture, allowing the same bytecode to be executed on different types of devices without modification. This portability is a key feature of Java, as it allows developers to write code once and run it anywhere, bolstering the language's popularity for cross-platform applications.

In contrast, other choices describe characteristics that do not align with the nature of bytecode. Assembly language is typically specific to a certain architecture, and traditional machine instructions are generally dependent on the architecture they are designed for. High-level language instructions compiled into machine code imply a direct conversion to hardware-specific language, which is not the case with bytecode's architecture-neutral approach.