The term “64-bit computing” is applied to computers in which the width of the data bus, registers and address buses is 64 bits. Type 64 refers to the generation of computers using 64-bit microprocessors. The register of such a processor can store 2 64 different values.
64-bit operating system history
In 1984, Cray launched the first UNIX operating system (OS) with a type 64 implementation called UNICOS.
In 1998, Sun launched Solaris 7, a system with full support for 64-bit UltraSPARC processors.
Apple in 2003 released Mac OS X 10.3, which supports 64-bit integer arithmetic for PowerPC 970 processors.
In 2001, Linux became the first OS whose kernel fully supports the x86-64 implementation. At the same time, processors with such an implementation have not yet been released by this time.
Microsoft appears Windows XP with a 64-bit system type for Itanium processors on the IA-64 architecture.
In 2006, Microsoft created Windows Vista with version 64 bits for the EM64T / AMD64 processors. This version of the system is compatible with 32-bit. All applications and OS components are 64-bit, although some of them are 32-bit versions to ensure compatibility with 32-bit software modules (plug-ins).
In 2009, Microsoft is developing Windows 7, which also includes a 64-bit version for Intel64 / AMD64 processors. In the same year, Windows Server 2008 R2 - the first system from Microsoft, with only 64-bit edition.
Apple's iOS 7 with support for AArch64 processors was created in 2013. The core of the type 64 system is designed to support 64-bit applications.
2014 - Google implements Android Lollipop - the first Android OS with support for 64-bit microprocessors.
Apple launches iOS 11 in 2017. This operating system is designed to work only with AArch64 processors. It has a 64-bit core to support 64-bit applications.
Implementation of the transition to 64-bit systems
The transition to 64-bit architecture is a fundamental change that affects all operating systems. In order to take advantage of the new architecture, these OSs need to be substantially modified. Other software must also be adapted to take full advantage of the new features. Older 32-bit applications can be modified in one of the following ways:
- Adding a virtual instruction set of type 64 (which is a superset with respect to the 32-bit instruction set);
- software application emulation;
- implementation of the core of a 32-bit processor in a 64-bit processor, as in some Intel Itanium models, which contain a kernel with IA-32 architecture support for running x86 applications.
Advantages of 64 Bit Operating Systems
When comparing 32-bit and 64-bit architecture, the determining factor in favor of the latter is the speed of task execution. The 64-bit architecture uses more than 4 GB of RAM.
However, in order to take full advantage of the type 64 architecture, applications must be at least correctly installed. On such an architecture, it is recommended to implement the following applications:
- multitasking;
- stress testing;
- high-performance computing (widely used in large organizations such as IBM, HP, Microsoft).
conclusions
- 64-bit processor works better with 64-bit applications;
- A 64-bit processor has the ability to handle most 32-bit applications;
- a 32-bit processor is not compatible with 64-bit applications.