1. Introduction to GraalVM

GraalVM is a polyglot virtual machine developed by Oracle. It extends the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) to support additional languages and programming techniques beyond Java. GraalVM not only supports JVM-based languages like Scala, Kotlin but also supports JavaScript, Ruby, R, Python, and even LLVM-compatible languages like C and C++. A notable feature of GraalVM is its ability to perform Ahead-of-Time Compilation to generate native code, improving application performance and startup time.

2. Why use GraalVM?

• High Performance: GraalVM improves application performance through a modern JIT compiler and AOT compilation capabilities, optimizing execution speed and reducing startup time.

• Multi-Language Support: Compatibility with multiple programming languages is a significant advantage, allowing for smooth development and integration of applications in different languages.

• Cloud and Microservices Optimization: GraalVM is very suitable for cloud applications and microservices architecture due to its fast startup and low memory consumption.

• Extensibility and Integration: GraalVM provides the ability to integrate with existing Java tools and libraries, helping to expand the functionality of traditional Java applications.

3. How does GraalVM work?

GraalVM operates based on a multi-layered and multi-language architecture, allowing it to support and optimize various programming languages.

graph TD
    A[GraalVM] --> B((JVM))
    A --> C((LLVM Runtime))
    A --> D((JavaScript Engine))
    A --> E((Other Language Runtimes))
    B --> F[Java Applications]
    C --> G[C/C++/Other LLVM Languages]
    D --> H[JavaScript Applications]
    E --> I[Ruby/Python/R/Other Languages]
    F --> J[GraalVM Compiler]
    G --> J
    H --> J
    I --> J
    J --> K[Optimized Machine Code]

    classDef default fill:#f9f,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px;
    class A default;

• A [GraalVM]: The multi-language virtual machine at the center.
• B [JVM]: JVM is the main platform, allowing GraalVM to run Java applications.
• C [LLVM Runtime]: Provides the ability to run languages that can be compiled into LLVM bitcode such as C and C++.
• D [JavaScript Engine]: The execution environment for JavaScript applications.
• E [Other Language Runtimes]: Supports other languages such as Ruby, Python, R, etc.
• F, G, H, I: Applications written in different languages running on GraalVM.
• J [GraalVM Compiler]: GraalVM’s powerful JIT/AOT compiler, optimizing code for all supported languages.
• K [Optimized Machine Code]: Optimized machine code, the result of the compilation process.

4. Features of GraalVM

• Ahead-of-Time Compilation (AOT): Creates standalone executable files, reducing application startup time and memory consumption.
• JIT Compiler: Improves application execution performance through a modern JIT compiler.
• Multi-Language Support: Allows running applications written in various languages on the same virtual machine.
• Performance Optimization: Advanced JIT compiler helps optimize the execution performance of different languages.
• Polyglot Interop Support: Allows smooth and efficient interaction between different languages.
• GraalVM Native Image: Provides the ability to create applications as a native image, helping to speed up startup and reduce memory consumption.
• Cloud Native Technology Support: Optimized for cloud applications and microservices, supports containerized architecture and Kubernetes.

5. Versions of GraalVM

GraalVM has two main versions: Community Edition and Enterprise Edition.

6. Supported Languages

GraalVM supports the following languages:

• Java: Java 8, 11, 15, 17, 21
• JavaScript: ECMAScript 2020 (ES11) and ECMAScript 2021 (ES12)
• Python: Python 3.7 and 3.8
• Ruby: Ruby 2.6
• R: R 4.0
• LLVM: C, C++, Fortran, and Rust
• WebAssembly: WebAssembly MVP

7. Supported Tools

GraalVM supports the following tools:

• GraalVM Updater: A tool for updating GraalVM. This tool is pre-installed in GraalVM.
• GraalVM Language Servers: Language servers support compilers and language analysis tools.
• GraalVM Debugger: A debugging tool for Java applications and other languages.
• GraalVM Profiler: A performance analysis tool for Java applications and other languages.
• GraalVM VisualVM: A performance analysis tool for Java applications and other languages.
• GraalVM Mission Control: A performance analysis tool for Java applications and other languages.
• GraalVM LLVM Runtime: A tool that supports LLVM applications.
• GraalVM LLVM Toolchain: A tool that supports LLVM applications.
• GraalVM LLVM Bitcode Parser: A tool that supports LLVM applications.
• GraalVM LLVM Bitcode Writer: A tool that supports LLVM applications.
• GraalVM LLVM Instrumentation: A tool that supports LLVM applications.
• GraalVM LLVM Runtime: A tool that supports LLVM applications.

8. Supported Libraries

GraalVM supports the following libraries:

• Truffle: Provides APIs for developing compilers for new languages. Truffle is a powerful tool for developing new languages.
• Substrate VM: Provides APIs for developing native image applications.
• GraalVM Polyglot API: Provides APIs for developing multi-language applications.
• GraalVM TruffleRuby: Provides APIs for developing Ruby applications.
• GraalVM FastR: Provides APIs for developing R applications.
• GraalVM JavaScript: Provides APIs for developing JavaScript applications.
• GraalVM Python: Provides APIs for developing Python applications.
• GraalVM LLVM Runtime: Provides APIs for developing LLVM applications.
• GraalVM LLVM Toolchain: Provides APIs for developing LLVM applications.
• GraalVM LLVM Bitcode Parser: Provides APIs for developing LLVM applications.
• GraalVM LLVM Bitcode Writer: Provides APIs for developing LLVM applications.
• GraalVM LLVM Instrumentation: Provides APIs for developing LLVM applications.
• GraalVM LLVM Runtime: Provides APIs for developing LLVM applications.

9. Conclusion

In this article, we have learned about GraalVM, a polyglot virtual machine developed by Oracle.

GraalVM is a polyglot virtual machine developed by Oracle. It extends the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) to support additional languages and programming techniques beyond Java. GraalVM not only supports JVM-based languages like Scala, Kotlin but also supports JavaScript, Ruby, R, Python, and even LLVM-compatible languages like C and C++. A notable feature of GraalVM is its ability to perform Ahead-of-Time Compilation to generate native code, improving application performance and startup time.

GraalVM provides a powerful solution for developers who want to maximize performance and flexibility in developing multi-language and multi-platform applications.