Actually, It has been there since Solaris 8 (lower versions, don't know). Example, You can have the same utility:
* SUNWvolu <==32bit version * SUNWvolux <== 64bit version Installed at the same time. In fact, some 3rd party vendors exploit this fact to install 32/64bit kernel drivers and different Solaris versions at the same time. Amazing backward/forward compatibility. You can upgrade to another version without reinstalling the kernel drivers. For our favorite OS Linux, it will also work but with some caveats. Example, Last week we tried to install ncurses 32bit (A minor application needs a specific 32bit ncurses library) on an RHEL 4 (64bit). Did not work. the major important app has a dependency on ncurses 64bit. hackish fix is via LD_LIBRARY_PATH. It's up to the developers on what they want. Looking at both rpm, both install on the same subdirectory structure. If someone has an alternative fix, let me know. for Windows 64, IMHO, flaky at best for 32bit apps. Some works, some subtly does not work like DVDFab Platinum. -- regards, Andre | http://www.varon.ca On Nov 28, 2007 11:35 PM, Orlando Andico <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > it's actually possible to run both 32-bit and 64-bit executables at > the same time on a supported OS. > > Solaris 10 does this, to the best of my knowledge (just use > LD_LIBRARY_PATH and LD_LIBRARY_PATH32 appropriately). Ditto for AIX > 5.3. Don't know about Linux or Windows 64-bit though.... > > I expect though that switching from a 32-bit to a 64-bit context is > more expensive in terms of processor cycles. > > > > On Nov 29, 2007 12:05 PM, andrelst <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > On Nov 27, 2007 12:45 AM, Danny Ching <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > My question is: What advantage does 64 bit > > > CPU's like the Intel Core 2 Duos, or AMD x2's have over vanilla 32 bit > > > CPU's > > > (if both have say 2GB of RAM)? > > > > If 2Gb of RAM, Small difference... 32bit CPU (legacy mode) will be > > faster of course. > > > > > Will there be a noticeable difference if all > > > I do is browse, and use office apps? How about gimp (does it have to be an > > > extremely large project to be able to notice the difference)? > > > > Small difference. Again, 32bit CPU (legacy mode) triumphs. > > > > You do know that Intel core duos and AMD X2 can run in 32 or 64 bit > > mode depending > > upon your OS + BIOS (chipset) and CPU? _________________________________________________ Philippine Linux Users' Group (PLUG) Mailing List plug@lists.linux.org.ph (#PLUG @ irc.free.net.ph) Read the Guidelines: http://linux.org.ph/lists Searchable Archives: http://archives.free.net.ph
