title: Max Independent JVM Processes
body: <p>I have java deployed on a unix system at /home/apps/java.
  export JAVA_HOME="/home/apps/java"</p>
  
  <p>There are some shell scripts that run in parallel (currently : 5 in number) with the following commands:
  $JAVA_HOME/bin/java -Xmx512M com.home.prac.SendNotification</p>
  
  <p>The Java program performs a db operation and sends out a notification.
  There are several objects created here and each execution peaks heap to about 300 MB.
  I have not shared code here as the my query is not related to it. Hence, i have just briefed the purpose.
  My understanding is that separate independent processes of JVM will be initiated that carry out executions of Java programs.
  They have their separate heaps and memory assignment.</p>
  
  <p>However, i am stuck with the following queries:</p>
  
  <ol>
  <li>How many of these parallel instances can i run considering they are all taking 300 MB in heap? </li>
  <li>There should a max cap (At OS level) to this which freezes after certain number of instances?</li>
  <li>I can't just go ahead and initiate 100 or 1000 parallel processes?</li>
  <li>I have a follow up question but would like to clarify the concept here first.</li>
  </ol>