Java Class File Layout and Structure

There are 10 basic sections to the Java Class File structure:

• Magic Number: 0xCAFEBABE
• Version of Class File Format: the minor and major versions of the class file
• Constant Pool: Pool of constants for the class
• Access Flags: for example whether the class is abstract, static, etc.
• This Class: The name of the current class
• Super Class: The name of the super class
• Interfaces: Any interfaces in the class
• Fields: Any fields in the class
• Methods: Any methods in the class
• Attributes: Any attributes of the class (for example the name of the sourcefile, etc.)

There is a handy mnemonic for remembering these 10: My Very Cute Animal Turns Savage In Full Moon Areas.

Magic, Version, Constant, Access, This, Super, Interfaces, Fields, Methods, Attributes (MVCATSIFMA)