The Java platform consists of the Java application programming
interfaces (APIs) and the Java1 virtual machine (JVM). Java APIs
are libraries of compiled code that you can use in your programs.
They let you add ready-made and customizable functionality to
save you programming time.The console printing capability is provided
in the API ready for you to use; you supply the text to be printed.
Java programs are run (or interpreted) by another program called
the Java VM. If you are familiar with Visual Basic or another
interpreted language, this concept is probably familiar to you.
Rather than running directly on the native operating system, the
program is interpreted by the Java VM for the native operating
system. This means that any computer system with the Java VM installed
can run Java programs regardless of the computer system on which
the applications were originally developed.
Essentials
of the Java Programming Language by SUN