64bit rpms vs the tarball

babyphil · 06-10-2004, 01:28 AM

Question: when I search for rpms online I often find i386 rpms that have dependencies in Yast2 that prevent installation (the 64 bit software doesn't play nicely).
So if I want 64bit software can I just get the tarballs?
(I am capable of compiling them)
Do the binaries come in 64 and 32 bit-mode?
If so:
how can I convert 32 bit binaries to 64?

Could someone clear this up for me?

jmorse · 06-13-2004, 12:55 PM

If you are downloading tarballs, you should end up with the source... In which case the binary will be in whatever architecture your compiler is set to produce.

I don't think it is possible to convert binaries...correct me if I'm wrong.

Mara · 06-13-2004, 04:17 PM

I don't know any tool that can convery 32bit executable to 64bit one. It'd probably need a decompilation and then a new compilation for 64bit. Binaries come in 32 or 64 bit version.

If you don't mind compiling your programs, get tarballs. In most cases you will be able to build a 64bit binary this way. The only thing that may stop you here is code using certain hacks for 32 bit processors. But it's really rare.