Chapter 6. Verification Process
The verification algorithm is one of the most distinctive features of the Java virtual machine. Its purpose is to ensure that class files that are loaded into the machine follow certain rules. These rules guarantee that programs cannot gain access to fields and methods they are not allowed to access and that they can't otherwise trick the JVM into doing unsafe things.
The verification algorithm is applied to every class as it is loaded into the system, before instances are created or static properties used. This allows the JVM implementation to assume that the class has certain safety properties, which permit the implementation to make optimizations based on that assumption.
The verification algorithm makes it possible ...
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