On Wed, Oct 21, 2009 at 8:32 AM, Rick Brown <[email protected]> wrote:
> Hi, > > Firstly, I'm trying to understand what exactly characterizes a > procesor or an operating system as 32bit / 64 bit. I've read that it > means the "native word size" of a machine. But what exactly is that? > Register size? Address bus size? Anything else? > > When they say its 32/64 bit machine its the capability of the system or processor to process so many bits at once ! > Secondly, I'm trying to understand what exactly does a sizeof(int) > depend on when we say it is "platform specific". Is it dependent of > compiler being 32bit / 64 bit? Or the OS being 32bit / 64 bit? Or the > processor being 32 / 64 bit? > > its dependent on processor being 32/64 bit Lastly, How are "sizes" of compiler / OS / processor inter related? > Here is my understanding. A 32 bit processor can only be running a 32 > bit OS. No ... 32 bit OS can run anything <= 32 bit > A 64 bit processor may run a 32 or a 64 bit OS. yes thats right ! > A 32 bit > compiler genrates code only to be run on a 32 bit OS; ditto for 64 > bit. Not sure about this let others have their say ! > Is this right? > > Please correct me if i am wrong ! > TIA, > > Rick > > -- > To unsubscribe from this list: send an email with > "unsubscribe kernelnewbies" to [email protected] > Please read the FAQ at http://kernelnewbies.org/FAQ > > -- Regards, ~Sid~ I have never met a man so ignorant that i couldn't learn something from him
