[SOLVED] What does 'remove architecture' mean?

sofasurfer · 11-13-2021, 11:53 PM

I have a 64 bit cpu (x 86) and a 64 bit linux kernel. I found that I also have many 32 bit (i386) packages installed by running

Code:

 dpkg -l | grep ':i386'

. These are apparently used by 'wine' and who knows what else.

Then I found how to remove all i386 packages with

Code:

apt-get purge ".*:i386"

.
And finally I learned that I can remove the i386 architecture with

Code:

 dpkg --remove-architecture i386

.
My question is, is that last command saying I can remove the architecture from my 64 bit cpu so that 32 bit will no longer work? Does a 64 bit cpu have 32 bit and 64 bit architecture?
I got the above code and info from

Code:

 https://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=359475

mrmazda · 11-14-2021, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sofasurfer

And finally I learned that I can remove the i386 architecture with

Code:

 dpkg --remove-architecture i386

.
My question is, is that last command saying I can remove the architecture from my 64 bit cpu so that 32 bit will no longer work? Does a 64 bit cpu have 32 bit and 64 bit architecture?

64 bit CPUs support 32bit operating systems and applications. Removing the i386 packages means you will no longer be able to run any 32 bit software using your remaining installed 64 bit operating system. As long as you don't need Wine or other 32 bit software or Brother printer drivers, removal should amount to nothing more than removing cruft from your installation, and subsequently making updates use less bandwidth and disk space.

ondoho · 11-14-2021, 01:32 AM

Removing the architecture does nothing to your actual CPU, it only means that your package management won't support 32 bit packages anymore - until they get enabled again.

Absolutely nothing to worry about, unless it asks you to uninstall dozens of packages.

sofasurfer · 11-14-2021, 11:49 AM

I understand. Thanks