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Intel and dropping support for 16 and 32 bit software.

It makes a lot of sense provisionally if there is an emulation layer which allows compatibility within the OS environment (rather than having to run software inside another OS inside a virtual machine) - a lot of 16bit and 32bit software works that kind of way anyhow now i.e. Virtual DOS Machine. Most 32bit software performance wise won't be significantly impacted due to the era much of that software was written in vs the performance of modern CPUs with the relative inefficiencies of 32bit when it comes to performance such as processing batch sizes, etc.
 
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It’s rather topical, especially when it’s comes to the lasagna’s of fail that are windows operating systems.

I get where you’re coming from with some 16, 32 bit applications, but also very much no for other types of code.

I can see a lot of TVM coming Intels way.
 
Its more to do with getting rid of the old school baggage (real mode) from the boot cycle, 32bit code will not be affected.
www.youtube.com

Intel's New X86-S : Eliminating Technical Debt and Adopting FRED

Need POTATO merch? There's a chip for that! http://merch.techtechpotato.comOne of the legacy elements of modern computing are the 16-bit and 32-bit modes of ...
www.youtube.com www.youtube.com
 
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FredFlint said:
Its more to do with getting rid of the old school baggage (real mode) from the boot cycle, 32bit code will not be affected.
www.youtube.com

Intel's New X86-S : Eliminating Technical Debt and Adopting FRED

Need POTATO merch? There's a chip for that! http://merch.techtechpotato.comOne of the legacy elements of modern computing are the 16-bit and 32-bit modes of ...
www.youtube.com www.youtube.com
Click to expand...

Well some things will have to change rather significantly. It’s going to be interesting to see the response that’s for sure.
 
jigger said:
Well some things will have to change rather significantly. It’s going to be interesting to see the response that’s for sure.
Click to expand...
The only ones that will even notice are OS developers that create boot loaders. It might also speed the post/boot cycle a little. Overall, it needs to be done as the CPU's still have to support 8086 modes which is a little crazy. Some will still get upset about it, even though it’s been known about for years.
 
FredFlint said:
The only ones that will even notice are OS developers that create boot loaders. It might also speed the post/boot cycle a little. Overall, it needs to be done as the CPU's still have to support 8086 modes which is a little crazy. Some will still get upset about it, even though it’s been known about for years.
Click to expand...

Not only people working with operating systems, plenty of others will. It’s a lot to think about on a middle ware driver level.
 
FredFlint said:
Some will still get upset about it, even though it’s been known about for years.
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Times doesn't necessarily make a difference - for example if you are working with older software that doesn't have a replacement and the original author has gone AWOL/not interested in any more it kind of limits your options.
 
Rroff said:
Times doesn't necessarily make a difference - for example if you are working with older software that doesn't have a replacement and the original author has gone AWOL/not interested in any more it kind of limits your options.
Click to expand...
You can still buy hardware now and will be able to for years. How long do you think they should support 8086 legacy modes that 99.99..% of users don’t use? Also, a lot of the stuff can be run in a VM if needed. Users have had decades to find replacement software, at some point you have to accept that things change.
 
FredFlint said:
You can still buy hardware now and will be able to for years. How long do you think they should support 8086 legacy modes that 99.99..% of users don’t use? Also, a lot of the stuff can be run in a VM if needed. Users have had decades to find replacement software, at some point you have to accept that things change.
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You seem to be missing my point somewhat. But “they” whoever they are, should support 16- 32 bit forever, muhaha.
 
jigger said:
You seem to be missing my point somewhat. But “they” whoever they are, should support 16- 32 bit forever, muhaha.
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They = The CPU:-)
I think most things will continue to work; somethings may need to be emulated but seems like the internet has emulator for everything. They have put this change off for a long time, I don’t think they are looking forward to all the hate.
 
FredFlint said:
They = The CPU:)
I think most things will continue to work; somethings may need to be emulated but seems like the internet has emulator for everything. They have put this change off for a long time, I don’t think they are looking forward to all the hate.
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Yeah, stacks of cards will fall. Dammed either way, but legacy in windows is strong.
 
FredFlint said:
Users have had decades to find replacement software, at some point you have to accept that things change.
Click to expand...

Sometimes there is no replacement software, "accepting" things change is pretty meaningless in that case. For instance I do a lot of modding, as a hobby, of older games and some of the tools are pure 32bit, authors long out of the picture, no one who actually understands the more complex bits are still around, etc.
 
Rroff said:
Sometimes there is no replacement software, "accepting" things change is pretty meaningless in that case. For instance I do a lot of modding, as a hobby, of older games and some of the tools are pure 32bit, authors long out of the picture, no one who actually understands the more complex bits are still around, etc.
Click to expand...
Have you not watched the video? After the OS boots nothing really changes, if it worked before it will work after. The main changes will be in the boot loaders. At this point, boot loaders start in legacy mode, then switch through several other modes, then finally to 64bit and the OS takes over, the changes just mean The CPU starts in 64bit mode so the very old modes that are no longer used are removed. Note: 32bit applications are not affected, at all.
 
FredFlint said:
Have you not watched the video? After the OS boots nothing really changes, if it worked before it will work after. The main changes will be in the boot loaders. At this point, boot loaders start in legacy mode, then switch through several other modes, then finally to 64bit and the OS takes over, the changes just mean The CPU starts in 64bit mode so the very old modes that are no longer used are removed. Note: 32bit applications are not affected, at all.
Click to expand...

I wasn't just talking about that video, there is generally a move towards phasing out 32bit support.
 
FredFlint said:
Have you not watched the video? After the OS boots nothing really changes, if it worked before it will work after. The main changes will be in the boot loaders. At this point, boot loaders start in legacy mode, then switch through several other modes, then finally to 64bit and the OS takes over, the changes just mean The CPU starts in 64bit mode so the very old modes that are no longer used are removed. Note: 32bit applications are not affected, at all.
Click to expand...

Erm maybe yeah-nah… ?
 
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