The Java Virtual Machine (JVM) is a software platform that enables programs written in the Java programming language to run on any system. It acts as a runtime environment for Java applications, providing the necessary libraries and virtual machine components to execute Java code. The JVM also provides memory management, garbage collection, and security features.
For example, when a Java program is compiled, it is turned into a set of instructions that the JVM can understand. The JVM then interprets these instructions and executes the program. This allows Java programs to run on any platform that supports the JVM, making Java a platform-independent language.