A combined native (RISC or CISC) microprocessor and stack (Java.TM.) machine are constructed so that Java.TM. VM instructions can be executed in hardware. Most Java.TM. instructions are executed directly, while more complex Java.TM. instructions, such as those manipulating Java.TM. objects, are executed as native microcode. In order for native microcode instructions to access the Java.TM. operand stack, a Java.TM. operand stack pointer points to the register file location that is the current top of the stack, while a remap bit in the status register indicates that registers specified in native instructions are remapped as the maximum Java.TM. operand stack pointer value minus the present value of the Java.TM. operand stack pointer.