Hi,
The JVM is actually a "specification" - guidelines for others to follow & implement a standard JVM (including Sun Inc.). The JVM is the Java Interpretter that "runs" your Java Programs.
The Java Compiler ( javac ) compiles the Java Source File into a Java "Class" File ( which, is again a Specification ) that contains "Machine Independent Byte Codes".
The JVM reads the "Machine Independent Byte Codes" & converts these into "Machine Dependent System Codes". The "Machine Dependent System Codes" are specific to each Platform.
I hope this explains the JVM stuff.
Regards,
Sandeep