c programs migration from solaris to linux

[krishnapriya]

We are having c programs in our application, for some of the c programs c code is available and for the rest compiled exe(64 bit) is available.
We are trying to migrate from solaris 8 to Linux OEL5U3. We are looking help on the below questions.

1. Will the C programs (source code available) work on Linux environment if we compile it.
2. If we copy the "C" exe from solaris to linux, will it work or not.

[Irithori]

1. Will the C programs (source code available) work on Linux environment if we compile it.

I am not a dev, but for what itīs worth:
If that source was coded with portability in mind, then it has a chance to compile.

In general:
The more solaris specifics were used, the harder the code modifications will be.

2. If we copy the "C" exe from solaris to linux, will it work or not.

No.

[Lakshmipathi]

Whats your application? Is it related to socket/networking programming?
Or is it related to DB access kind of stuffs Or something else.

1. Will the C programs (source code available) work on Linux environment if we compile it.

Yes,Mostly It should work with minor changes,but it can be resolved.

2. If we copy the "C" exe from solaris to linux, will it work or not.

Its unlikely ,the binary compiled on Solaris will not work on Linux straight way.

[Lakshmipathi]

I am not a dev, but for what itīs worth:
If that source was coded with portability in mind, then it has a chance to compile.

In general:
The more solaris specifics were used, the harder the code modifications will be.

Yes,I agree.

[Rubberman]

Solaris binaries in most likelihood will not work on Linux, certainly not if they were build on Sparc systems. The C code might build and run on Linux, as the other responders mentioned here. I do a lot of cross-platform development for software that runs on Solaris, HP-UX, and Linux and they are, for the most part, compatible code-wise. There are always "gotchas" to deal with. Testing will take the greatest number of development cycles here. Don't expect the process to be painless.

For the software to which you do not have the source code, you are in for a reverse engineering task. This is going to be your biggest problem, and requires VERY competent and experienced engineers to do properly. It will be costly at best. Make sure your specifications are clear, unambiguous, and invariant (don't change them once the design/coding processes start).