64 bit

A 64-bit processor is one that generally supports a word size of 2**64, where the constant "maxint" has the value 2**64-1, or 18,446,744,073,709,551,615. The signed version of this number can express a range of -18,446,744,073,709,551,615..0 and 0..18,446,744,073,709,551,615. The unsigned version of this number can express a range of 0..18,446,744,073,709,551,616. It also means that programs and data spaces can be much larger than on the older 32-bit and 16-bit machines.

Examples of 32-bit processors include

• Newer versions of the X86 microcomputer (WINTEL architecture)

Currently, 64-bit processors (X86) are enhancements of 32-bit processors, and generally can run 32-bit and 16-bit applications. The reverse, however, is not true; 64-bit code cannot run on a machine smaller than 64 bits.

See Also

• Writing portable code regarding the processor architecture
• 32 bit