Preface

Java Card technology combines a subset of the Java programming language with a runtime environment optimized for smart cards and similar small-memory embedded devices. The goal of Java Card technology is to bring many of the benefits of Java software programming to the resource-constrained world of devices such as smart cards.

The Classic Edition of the Java Card platform is defined by three specifications: this Virutal Machine Specification, Java Card 3 Platform, v3.0.4, Classic Edition, the Application Programming Interface, Java Card 3 Platform, v3.0.4, Classic Edition, and the Runtime Environment Specification, Java Card 3 Platform, v3.0.4, Classic Edition.

This specification describes the required behavior of the Classic Edition's virtual machine (VM) for the Java Card 3 platform (“Java Card virtual machine” or “Java Card VM”), that developers should adhere to when creating an implementation. In this book, Java Card 3 Platform refers to versions 3.0, 3.0.1 and 3.0.4 to distinguish them from all earlier versions. An implementation within the context of this document refers to a licensee's implementation of the Java Card virtual machine, Application Programming Interface (API), Converter, or other component, based on the Java Card technology specifications. A “reference implementation” is an implementation produced by Oracle. Application software written for the Java Card platform is referred to as a Java Card technology-based applet (“Java Card applet” or “card applet”).

Who Should Use This Specification

This document is for licensees of the Java Card technology to assist them in creating an implementation, developing a specification to extend the Java Card technology specifications, or in creating an extension to the Classic Edition runtime environment for the Java Card platform (“Java Card Runtime Environment” or “Java Card RE”). This document is also intended for Java Card applet developers who want a more detailed understanding of the Java Card technology specifications.

Before You Read This Specification

Before reading this document, you should be familiar with the Java programming language, the Java Card technology specifications, and smart card technology. A good resource for becoming familiar with Java technology and Java Card technology is the Oracle web site, located at:

http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java

This specification is not intended to stand on its own; rather it relies heavily on existing documentation of the Java platform. In particular, two books are required for the reader to understand the material presented here.

The Java Language Specification, Third Edition, by James Gosling, Bill Joy, and Guy L. Steele (Addison-Wesley, 2005) ISBN 0-201-31008-2, contains the definitive specification of the Java programming language. The Java Card 3 platform language subset defined here is based on the language specified in that book.

The Java Virtual Machine Specification (Second Edition) by Tim Lindholm and Frank Yellin. (Addison-Wesley, 1999) ISBN 0-201-43294-3, defines the standard operation of the Java Virtual Machine (JVM software)^Foot 1. The Java Card virtual machine presented here is based on the definition specified in that book.

Shell Prompts

Shell	Prompt
C shell	machine-name`%`
C shell superuser	machine-name`#`
Bourne shell and Korn shell	`$`
Bourne shell and Korn shell superuser	`#`

Table Conventions

Tables use N/A (not applicable) to indicate that a cell has no contents.

Typographic Conventions

Typeface^Foot 1 Meaning Examples

Typeface^Foot 1	Meaning	Examples
`AaBbCc123`	The names of commands, files, and directories; on-screen computer output	Edit your `.login` file. Use `ls -a` to list all files. `% You have mail`.
`AaBbCc123`	What you type, when contrasted with on-screen computer output	`%` `su` `Password:`
AaBbCc123	Book titles, new words or terms, words to be emphasized. Replace command-line variables with real names or values.	Read Chapter 6 in the User's Guide. These are called class options. You must be superuser to do this. To delete a file, type `rm` filename.

AaBbCc123

The names of commands, files, and directories; on-screen computer output

Edit your .login file.

Use ls -a to list all files.

% You have mail.

AaBbCc123

What you type, when contrasted with on-screen computer output

% su

Password:

AaBbCc123

Book titles, new words or terms, words to be emphasized. Replace command-line variables with real names or values.

Read Chapter 6 in the User's Guide.

These are called class options.

You must be superuser to do this.

To delete a file, type rm filename.

^Footnote 1The settings on your browser might differ from these settings.

Acknowledgements

Java Card technology is based on Java technology. This specification could not exist without all the hard work that went into the development of the Java platform specifications. In particular, this specification is based significantly on Java Virtual Machine Specification. In order to maintain consistency with that specification, as well as to make differences easier to notice, we have, where possible, used the words, the style, and even the visual design of that book. Many thanks to Tim Lindholm and Frank Yellin for providing a solid foundation for our work.

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Virutal Machine Specification, Java Card 3 Platform, v3.0.4, Classic Edition

Footnote Legend

Footnote 1: The terms "Java Virtual Machine" and "JVM" mean a Virtual Machine for the Java platform.