[OS X TeX] 64 Bit Binaries for TeX Live 2009

[roberto avanzi]

On Nov 25, 2009, at 18:03 , Richard Koch wrote:

> Roberto,
>
> On Nov 24, 2009, at 11:44 PM, roberto avanzi wrote:
>>
>> Why Snow Leopard as a minimum requirement?  Leopard can run 64 bit  
>> cli-only binaries.
>
> This was a deliberate choice. We compile both PPC and Intel binaries  
> on Tiger, to support as many machines as possible. Since Leopard is  
> already supported by these 32-bit binaries, and since the difference  
> in speed between 32-bits and 64-bits is very small, we have the  
> luxury of making the 64-bit binaries with the latest compilers and  
> libraries. Thus the binaries are made on Snow Leopard and don't run  
> on Leopard.

I see.  The difference does not always seem that small (3.39 seconds  
instead of 4.40 is a big gain) but as you mentioned, in most cases  
there are no gains, so this is not going to change our lives ;-)

A lot of people have unrealistic expectations from going 64 bits.  We  
may get something on intel cpus because more registers are available,  
but it is still a stupid ISA.

  Roberto