architecturedependent

Architecture-dependent refers to software, data, or behavior that relies on the hardware architecture on which it runs. This includes the processor family, word size, endianness, instruction set, and application binary interface (ABI). Architecture-dependent components often require separate builds, libraries, or distributions for each target architecture, making portability more challenging than for architecture-independent software.

Key characteristics include the use of architecture-specific machine code, assembly language, or optimized instruction sequences; data type sizes and memory alignment that can vary by architecture; and calling conventions or system interfaces that differ across platforms. Programs that directly interact with hardware, rely on specific CPU features, or make assumptions about word size and endianness tend to be architecture-dependent. In contrast, architecture-independent software aims to behave identically across platforms, typically by avoiding low-level optimizations and relying on portable abstractions.

Examples and implications: compiled binaries and native libraries are often architecture-dependent, as they contain machine code tailored to a particular architecture. Packaging frequently separates architecture-dependent binaries from architecture-independent data or scripts. Portability may be achieved through cross-compilation toolchains, portability layers, or using portable languages and interfaces (for example, Java, Python, or POSIX-compliant APIs). Developers may also isolate architecture-dependent code behind abstraction layers or use conditional compilation to handle architecture-specific differences.

In modern practice, architecture-dependent code remains essential for performance and low-level system functionality, even as portable and cross-platform techniques reduce its reach. Emulation and virtualization can run architecture-dependent binaries on different hardware, but native compatibility typically requires architecture-aware builds and tooling.