Java becomes portable by using a virtual machine which interprets independent platform bytecode.

The reusability is achieved by providing an object oriented feature called inheritance. The inheritance feature is very handy, it allows the same program to run on different platforms without having to recompile the code for each. "Inheritance is a form of software reuse in which a new class is created by absorbing an existing class's members and embellishing them with new or modified capabilities. With inheritance, you can save time during program development by basing new classes on existing proven and debugged high-quality software. This also increases the likelihood that a system will be implemented and maintained effectively." (Paul Dietel, 2013. UOP Material) Java also supports a standard GUI interface, and the swing library has all the components made so the programmer can have the same look and feel across many GUI applications on the systems that it is run from. It is just like making Windows look like UNIX, and UNIX can look like MAC, which is the norm with Linux. "The availability of substantial and useful class libraries delivers the maximum benefits of software reuse through inheritance. The standard Java class libraries that are shipped with Java tend to be rather general purpose, encouraging broad software reuse. Many other class libraries exist." (Paul Dietel, 2013. UOP Material)