Ubuntu & Python - Make 32-bit Application Work on 64-bit

[roosevelt]

Hi,

 

Having a lot of fun lately with Python and pyinstaller is really making things very cool! Initially I just wanted to create 32-bit version of my applications but turns out on Ubuntu the 32-bit version is not working on a 64-bit Ubuntu and vice versa. Is it some kind of restriction on Ubuntu or I have to configure something?

[Brandon H Supervisor]

the 32bit libraries aren't installed by default on Ubuntu 64bit (same is true on most other 64bit linux distros as well)

 

to install them run

sudo apt-get install ia32-libs

then you'll be able to run 32bit apps

[roosevelt]

hmm, bit strange! Not sure why 32-bit libraries are not enabled to begin with. I will take a note of that, thanks!

[sinetheo]

  On 25/05/2014 at 19:20, roosevelt said:

hmm, bit strange! Not sure why 32-bit libraries are not enabled to begin with. I will take a note of that, thanks!

 

Without that package nothing 32 bit will run

[Anibal P]

  On 25/05/2014 at 19:20, roosevelt said:

hmm, bit strange! Not sure why 32-bit libraries are not enabled to begin with. I will take a note of that, thanks!

 

Because you should be running 64bit on a 64bit install, unlike in windows you can just compile all programs to 64bit negating the need for 32

[Max Norris]

  On 25/05/2014 at 21:03, Anibal P said:

unlike in windows you can just compile all programs to 64bit negating the need for 32

What? Not every program has its source code available for the end user to compile.. you're still at the mercy of the developer for anything outside of the repository, especially if it's not open source.  Pick anything from Steam, proprietary video drivers, etc etc.  Plus you're also negating the fact that some distros are geared towards older hardware, may not even have x64 as an option, or may be using the x86 PAE version of the kernel.  Finally, you're also missing the original point of the question.. PyInstaller.. which turns a Python script into a standalone executable.. compiled in advance, no source.

[Andre S. Veteran]

Or that many programs link to 32-bit only libraries, so they cannot easily be converted to 64-bit even with the source code.