Can a .class file generated using a 32 bit java compiler be used on a 64 bit system with 64 bit JVM?

Question

Can a .class file generated using a 32 bit java compiler be used on a 64 bit system with 64 bit JVM?

Answer 1

Yes. Java byte code is independent from 32/64/... bit systems.

That's the main purpose: the compiled code shall be executable on any system, just the virtual machine is compiled for a special system architecture.

Answer 2

Yes, bytecode is still very high level. There is no distinction between 32 and 64 bit at that level, just as there is no 32 and 64 bit Java code (.java).