What is the purpose of the Java Virtual Machine (JVM)?

The Java Virtual Machine (JVM) is primarily responsible for executing Java bytecode, which is the intermediate representation of Java programs compiled from source code. When a Java program is compiled, it is translated from human-readable source code into bytecode, a platform-independent code that the JVM can understand and execute. The JVM acts as an intermediary between the bytecode and the machine code specific to the hardware on which the program is running, allowing Java to be platform-independent by functioning on any device that has a compatible JVM installed.

This execution process involves various functions, such as loading bytecode into memory, verifying it for security, and performing just-in-time (JIT) compilation to optimize performance. The focus of the JVM is on runtime execution rather than the compilation or library management tasks.

In contrast, compiling source code into bytecode is a role fulfilled by the Java compiler, and managing Java libraries is generally the responsibility of the Java runtime environment or build tools. Converting bytecode back into human-readable language is not a primary function of the JVM; while tools exist for decompiling bytecode, the JVM itself is not involved in that process. Therefore, the correct answer emphasizes the JVM's essential role in executing Java applications efficiently.