GraalVM is a universal virtual machine designed to improve the performance and interoperability of programming languages. It is developed by Oracle Labs. GraalVM provides high-performance runtime support for Java, JavaScript, Python, Ruby, and other languages, along with the ability to run native code.
Here are some key features and components of GraalVM:
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High-Performance JIT Compiler: GraalVM includes a state-of-the-art just-in-time (JIT) compiler that can optimize the performance of Java applications. This compiler is known for its ability to generate highly efficient machine code, resulting in faster execution times.
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Polyglot Execution: One of the distinguishing features of GraalVM is its support for multiple programming languages. It allows developers to execute code written in different languages within the same runtime environment, enabling polyglot applications.
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Ahead-of-Time Compilation (AOT): GraalVM supports ahead-of-time compilation, which allows developers to compile Java applications into native executables. This feature can improve startup times and reduce memory overhead, making GraalVM well-suited for cloud-native deployments and microservices architectures.
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Native Image: GraalVM's native image capability enables the creation of standalone, self-contained native executables from Java applications. These native images start up much faster and have lower memory consumption compared to traditional Java applications running on a Java Virtual Machine (JVM).
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Truffle Framework: GraalVM includes the Truffle framework, which simplifies the development of language runtimes. Truffle provides a set of tools and APIs for building interpreters and compilers for dynamic languages, making it easier to add support for new languages on the GraalVM platform.
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Embedding APIs: GraalVM provides embedding APIs that allow developers to integrate GraalVM-based language runtimes into their Java applications. This enables seamless interoperability between different languages and facilitates the development of polyglot applications.
Overall, GraalVM offers a range of features and capabilities that can improve the performance, scalability, and flexibility of Java applications, as well as enable polyglot programming across multiple languages. It has gained popularity in the Java ecosystem and is increasingly being adopted by developers for a variety of use cases, including cloud-native development, microservices, and high-performance computing.
Which version of JVM start support graalVM
GraalVM's support for the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) has evolved over time, and the exact version of the JVM that officially supports GraalVM features can vary. Here are some key points regarding the support of GraalVM with different versions of the JVM:
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OpenJDK 8: GraalVM initially started as a project that provided a high-performance JIT compiler for Java applications running on the OpenJDK 8 JVM. However, GraalVM itself is more than just a JIT compiler; it also includes support for polyglot execution, ahead-of-time (AOT) compilation, and other features. While GraalVM's JIT compiler can be used with OpenJDK 8, full GraalVM features such as AOT compilation and native image generation may require using GraalVM distributions.
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OpenJDK 11 and later: With the release of OpenJDK 11, GraalVM compatibility has improved. GraalVM's native image generation and other features are more seamlessly integrated with newer versions of the JVM. Users can leverage GraalVM's AOT compilation and native image capabilities with OpenJDK 11 and later versions.
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GraalVM Native Image: The native image feature of GraalVM, which allows the creation of standalone native executables from Java applications, typically requires using GraalVM distributions rather than standard OpenJDK distributions. GraalVM distributions come with the necessary components and tools for native image generation.
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GraalVM as a Standalone Distribution: GraalVM also exists as a standalone distribution that includes its own JVM implementation (based on OpenJDK) along with GraalVM-specific features. This distribution offers the most seamless integration of GraalVM features, including native image generation, polyglot execution, and AOT compilation.
In summary, while GraalVM's JIT compiler can be used with older versions of the JVM such as OpenJDK 8, full support for GraalVM features like native image generation typically requires using GraalVM distributions or newer versions of the JVM (such as OpenJDK 11 and later). Users interested in leveraging GraalVM's advanced capabilities should consider using GraalVM distributions or newer JVM versions for optimal compatibility and functionality.