> when you compile does it (the Hotspot compiler) compile Java source to machine on-the-fly ?
> or do i need to specify an option for it?
When you run Java bytecode the Hotspot compiler will be used.
You can control which one and exactly what you want it to do.
[url=http://blogs.sun.com/roller/resources/watt/jvm-options-list.html]A collection of Java VM Options[/url]
Look at
-server
-client
-Xint
-Xcomp
-Xmixed