---

Should You Recompile Your Application as a 64-Bit Executable?

Although 64-bit executables make it easier for you to manage large data sets (compared to memory mapping of large files in a 32-bit application), the use of 64-bit executables may raise other issues. Therefore you should transition your application to a 64-bit executable format only when the 64-bit environment offers a compelling advantage for your specific application.

This chapter explores some of the reasons you might or might not want to transition your software to a 64-bit executable format. Before you read this entire guide, read this chapter to decide whether your application will benefit from having a 64-bit executable format. When you have finished, if you are convinced that your application will benefit from a 64-bit executable format, you should read the remaining chapters in this document.

If some of the capabilities of a 64-bit environment would be helpful to you but you do not want to transition your application to a 64-bit executable, read the section “Alternatives to 64-Bit Computing” to learn techniques that offer many of the same benefits but let you remain in a 32-bit environment.

Contents:

Common Misconceptions
Factors to Consider
Alternatives to 64-Bit Computing
Using mmap to Simulate a Large Address Space

---