I'm obviously not aware of all the benefits 64-bit can provide. Native 64-bit integers, large floating point numbers, access to lots of RAM, is all I've thought of. Can you explain why memory mapped files are unnecessary in a 64 bit world?
Ross. -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Irwin Scollar Sent: Monday, 25 June 2007 3:42 To: [email protected] Subject: [SPAM-LOW] Delphi RoadMap has been published Ross Lewis wrote; >I agree. 64-bit apps will only really be useful for developers writing >software for a specific firm who have decided to upgrade all their PC's to >64-bit. It's going to take a few years before more than 50% of PC's out >there are 64-bit, so in the meantime you would have to provide both 32-bit >and 64-bit compiles of your app, or just stick with 32 bit which runs fine >on both platforms. There are firms, institutions and individual users whose decisions concerning hardware and OS depend upon their problems, pocketbooks and qualifications. Most things needed in the commercial world can be done in 32 bits just as many can still be done in 16, so that's where the vast bulk of the market lies. In the scientific world however, many problems literally cry out for the storage which a 64 bit environment can provide at little cost in programming effort. It is not just tradition in that world which makes Linux/Unix 64 bit workstations the norm for those who can afford them. Unfortunately, not all are able to do that, nor are there anything remotely like the software add-ons available for Delphi available for code developers. Machines with 64 bit capable Intel/AMD processors are available at very reasonable prices, and 64 bit XP/Vista is hardly more expensive than the 32 bit cousins, so it is tempting to want to use them instead of Sparc/Sun workstations. Maintaining 64 and 32 bit Delphi versions of a big scientific program would indeed be a nuisance since 32 bit code which can almost do what 64 bit code can do easily usually requires things like memory mapped files which are unnecessary in a 64 bit world. If the 32 bit application must use them, there is often a considerable speed penalty as well. New hardware like dedicated graphic boards (e.g. the Nvidia Tesla components) for number crunching may be easier to use in a 64 bit environment than in 32 bits, but Delphi compiler support has not been mentioned. Sadly, C++ entails much more difficult maintenance and nothing like the vast array of free and commercial libraries for nearly everything. I realize that CodeGear is not a charity, so evidently it's business plan can't reflect the needs of a small minority, but hopefully those of us in that minority will not have to wait forever. Irwin Scollar _______________________________________________ Delphi mailing list -> [email protected] http://www.elists.org/mailman/listinfo/delphi
