What is the meaning of "write once, run anywhere" in Java?

Question

Options

• AJava programs are designed to run only in web browsers and, thus, can run wherever there is a browser.
• BIt is a marketing statement because Java programs must be compiled for a specific platform in order to run.
• CJava programs can run on any Java Virtual Machine without being recompiled.
• DJava programs, after being compiled, can run on any platform or device even without a Java Virtual Machine.

• B
  5% (2)
• C
  93% (39)
• D
  2% (1)

Explanation

"Write once, run anywhere" (WORA) is Java's core portability promise: you compile Java source code once into bytecode (.class files), and that bytecode runs on any platform that has a JVM - Windows, macOS, Linux - without recompilation. The JVM acts as the platform-specific translator, so you write to the JVM's specification, not to any particular OS.

Why the distractors are wrong:

• A is wrong because Java runs on any JVM-equipped device, not just browsers - desktop apps, servers, and Android all run Java without a browser.
• B is wrong because it contradicts WORA entirely; the whole point is that you don't compile per-platform - the JVM handles that abstraction.
• D is wrong because it inverts the requirement: you absolutely need a JVM - it's the middleman that makes cross-platform execution possible.

Memory tip: Think of the JVM as a universal adapter plug - your device (bytecode) stays the same, and the adapter (JVM) handles whatever wall socket (OS/hardware) you're in. WORA = bytecode travels, JVM stays local.

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