Apple Darwin User Manual download pdf (Page 6)

This document describes the 64-bit features that are available in OS X v10.4 and v10.5. You should read it to

help you determine which of these features to use and how to use them.

What Is 64-Bit Computing?

For the purposes of this document, 64-bit computing is defined as support for a 64-bit address space—that

is, support for concurrent use of more than 4 GB of memory by a single executable program—no more, no

less.

OS X v10.8 uses a 64-bit kernel and fully supports 64-bit applications. The 64-bit kernel was originally introduced

in OS X v10.6 (on some models of Mac hardware), and 64-bit application support was introduced in v10.5.

Command-line 64-bit support was introduced in v10.4.

Who Should Read This Document?

Mac app developers should, at a minimum, read the chapter Should You Recompile Your Software as a 64-Bit

Executable? (page 8). That chapter will help you determine whether it makes sense for your application to

take advantage of 64-bit application support in OS X v10.5 and later.

Developers of device drivers and kernel extensions should also read this document. Beginning with v10.6,

device drivers and kernel extensions must be compiled with a 64-bit slice to be loadable into a 64-bit kernel.

Beginning with v10.8, all kernel device drivers and other extensions must be compiled with a 64-bit slice.

Organization of This Document

This document is organized into the following chapters:

●

Should You Recompile Your Software as a 64-Bit Executable? (page 8)—provides helpful guidance about

whether you should recompile your application as a 64-bit executable.

●

Major 64-Bit Changes (page 12)—describes the high-level architectural changes between a 32-bit and

64-bit environment.

Introduction to 64-Bit Transition Guide

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Apple Darwin User Manual Page 6