Re: Deprecation of i386 and 32-bit powerpc for 15.0

On Sat, 21 Jun 2025 08:36:28 +0900
Tomoaki AOKI <junchoon@dec.sakura.ne.jp> wrote:

> On Sat, 21 Jun 2025 01:15:58 +0300
> Vadim Goncharov <vadimnuclight@gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> > On Sat, 21 Jun 2025 04:09:29 +0900
> > Tomoaki AOKI <junchoon@dec.sakura.ne.jp> wrote:
> >   
> > > > > > - ~6 months after branching (BSDCan 2026 devsummit):
> > > > > >
> > > > > >    - evaluate how stable/14 has been fairing (are MFCs breaking
> > > > > >      deprecated platforms) (note that stable/13 will be EOL at this
> > > > > >      point)
> > > > > >
> > > > > >      - if all is smooth, start removing code from main for i386 and
> > > > > >        powerpc kernels as well as any powerpc userspace code not
> > > > > >        required for lib32    
> > > > > 
> > > > > When can we expect lib32 removal?    
> > > > Hopefully never.    
> > > 
> > > Maybe this could puzzle more persons.
> > > 
> > > IIUC, lib32 is for running 32bit apps on 64bit platform, which is NOT
> > > planned for removal.
> > > 
> > > What is going to be deprecated is 32bit bare-metal hardwares supports
> > > for i386 and 32bit PowerPC, which never runs on 64bit modes.  
> > 
> > Does that mean that support for 32-bit builds for virtual machines (that's
> > important because they use less memory -> buy cheaper, especially when
> > lots of them) will be continued after 2030 ?  
> 
> My understanding is, unfortunately, yes.
> IIUC, VM images are "pre-installed" environment with virtual disk
> format that the VM recognizes and pre-installed, if any, drivers to
> support emulated virtual hardwares.
> 
> You can still use 32bit binaries on 64bit builds of VMs, but
> it would require lib32 to be installed.
> 
> Correct me if I'm misunderstanding.
 
If "yes" then why "unfortunately" ? Continuing to support 32 bits where it
makes sense is very fortunate thing, both for cheaper prices and energy saving
thus our planet!

-- 
WBR, @nuclight