When a Java program is compiled, it is not directly converted to machine code. Instead, it is transformed into an intermediate form known as bytecode.
This bytecode is platform-independent and can be executed on any system that has the Java environment installed.
The Java Virtual Machine (JVM) acts as the interpreter that reads and converts this bytecode into native machine code.
The JVM not only translates the code but also provides a runtime environment, handles memory management, garbage collection, and ensures portability across platforms.
This design allows Java to follow its "Write Once, Run Anywhere" philosophy.
Therefore, the Java interpreter responsible for translating and executing bytecode is the JVM.