[SOLVED] 32 bit rpm vs 64 bit rpm

[patrick_jones]

Hi all,
I am new to Suse. One of my application requires a 32-bit rpm to be installed rather than 64 bit. So what distinguishes 32-bit rpm from 64-bit rpm in Suse? Is the following correct?

if `rpm -q --queryformat '%{ARCH}\n' some.rpm` gives 'i586',, then its 32 bit? Can other arch values be 32-bit as well?. Please let me know

Thanks
P

[gogalthorp]

There should be no problem installing most 32 bit apps on 64

586 or 386 are 32 bit versions of the Intel series processors and normally indicate 32 bit apps.

Note Some 64 bit apps have special 32 bit sub libraries these will show as 64bit but will also have 32 in the name somewhere. When this is true the 586/386 version of the app should not also be installed since the 64 bit app is also providing the 32 bit interfaces.

[patrick_jones]

Thanks a lot gogalthorp for the reply. So that means if I want to figure out if an installed rpm is 32 bit or 64 bit, I need to check if the arch for the rpm is i386 or i586 right? Can it be ix86 where "x" is other than 3 or 5?

[coopstah13]

64-bit rpm's usually have x86_64 or just x64 somewhere in the filename, you are correct about 32-bit, i386, i486, i586, i686, etc

[patrick_jones]

thanks coopstah13