===== 3.2 Words =====

The Java Card virtual machine is defined in terms of an abstract storage unit called a **//word//**. This specification does not mandate the actual size in bits of a **//word//** on a specific platform. A **//word//** is large enough to hold a value of type **byte**, **short**, **reference** or **returnAddress**. Two **//word//**s are large enough to hold a value of type **int**. 

The actual storage used for values in an implementation is platform-specific. There is enough information present in the descriptor component of a **CAP** file to allow an implementation to optimize the storage used for values in variables and on the stack.