1. In an object-oriented computing environment, a Java data type representation suitable for use by a Java virtual machine, said Java data type representation comprising: a first, a second, a third, and a fourth byte which are sequentially arranged; wherein said first byte includes a Java data type indicator, said Java data type indicator indicating whether the represented Java data type is a primitive Java data type or a non-primitive Java data type; wherein said first, second, third, and fourth bytes collectively represent a reference to a non-primitive Java data type when said Java data type indicator indicates that the Java data type is a non-primitive Java data type; and wherein said second byte represents a primitive Java data type when said Java data type indicator indicates that the Java data type is a primitive Java data type.