32bitfriendly
32bitfriendly is a term used in software development to describe projects, distributions, and practices that maintain compatibility with 32-bit architectures, notably i386. It emphasizes preserving access to older hardware and legacy software by providing 32-bit builds, libraries, and runtime environments alongside 64-bit options. The concept encompasses package repositories, build scripts, and documentation that explicitly support 32-bit targets and test for regressions on 32-bit systems.
Origin and scope: While not a formal standard, 32bitfriendly is used as a guiding principle among maintainers
Practices: Multilib repositories, separate 32-bit packages, and automated tests on 32-bit environments are common. Some projects
Impact and challenges: The approach helps extend the usable life of older software but faces challenges such
See also: 32-bit, i386, multilib, compatibility layer, legacy software.