Bruce Stephens wrote:
The Natural Philosopher writes:

[...]

64 bit code is a bit larger, because it carries 64 bit entities...but
that's usually more than made up for by the faster speed of
computation.

That's my guess. It's worth mentioning that (I suspect) 64 bit code
spends most of its time handling 32 bit data (the benefits being the
saner instruction set and the extra registers).

In C-terms int is still 32 bit (and on Windows so is long). It's only
longs (on Windows long longs) and pointers that are 64 bit. So it's
certainly not the case that a 64 bit program will take twice as much
memory as a 32 bit equivalent; an array of 1000 ints is the same size in
both.

Linux wise the only real downside is dealing with legacy 32 bit code
which doesn't always work, especially if its a 3rd party kernel module
:-(

Yes, but how often does that happen?

Every time for me out of a sample of one :-)

It's worth stressing that 64-bit
linux kernels can (unless you deliberately disable the feature) run
32-bit binaries (presuming that the necessary 32-bit libraries are
available, and distros make that easy to arrange).

Can. but not always and not always seamlessly. If the right 2 bit
libraries are not available, you are in serious geek territory to get
things working.


My guess is that nowadays most people will be better off running 64-bit
for the most part (with the occasional 32-bit app). (I think the only
32-bit GNU/Linux application I have now is google earth, now that 64-bit
flash is available.)

But doesn't work properly. Ditto acrobat.

Things that have caused me issues were
32 bit HP scanner module. Simply did not work
Lack of proper CUPS support for brand new laser printer. Didn't work on
the OSX Tiger either. Needed to find something close.. NOT a 32/64 bit issue
Google earth. Needed extra stuff to work
32 bit Adobe acrobat. Didn't work at all.
64 bit Flash plugin. Breaks on some sites.

Now that's on Lenny. Debian have new release and it looks a lot better.
Maybe the non-free stuff will work.

I wouldn't go back to 32bit, but don't expect there to be instant third
party support for 54 bit to the level that exists on 32 bit.