What is a characteristic feature of Mule applications?

Mule applications are primarily designed to run within a Java Virtual Machine (JVM), which is a key characteristic of the MuleSoft platform. This feature allows developers to leverage the extensive capabilities of Java while building integrations and applications that can process data, handle messaging, and orchestrate services in a scalable manner.

By utilizing the JVM, Mule applications gain benefits such as platform independence, as they can run on any operating system that supports Java. This flexibility is one of the reasons why MuleSoft is favored for building integration solutions across diverse environments.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately capture the characteristics of Mule applications. For example, they are not limited to a specific operating system given their reliance on the JVM, and they are not compiled languages; instead, they are typically developed using Mule's configuration and scripting languages which may include XML and DataWeave. Additionally, while external events can trigger Mule applications, they are versatile and can also be initiated through various means, including scheduled jobs or internal service calls. Thus, stating that they can only be triggered by external events does not encompass the full range of trigger mechanisms available.