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Multiarch is the ability to install and run packages for multiple binary targets on the same system (usually i386-linux-gnu packages on amd64-linux-gnu systems). This is useful if you want to run an old 32-bit program on a modern 64-bit PC.

Cross-compiling (sometimes called cross-building) is the act of compiling code for one binary target using a computer with a different binary target. This is useful if you want to compile a program for a slow embedded device on a fast PC.

Multilib is the ability for a single toolchain to create programs for different architectures. This is being deprecated in favour of multiarch.

Cross-grading is the act of changing a system's (main) binary target. This may be useful if you want to e.g. switch an old i386 system to x86_64 and can't reinstall from scratch for some reason.

This category covers all the above concepts, because they're indivisible in practice even though they're distinct in theory.


Common topics

All multiarch pages

Note: this list does not include pages of strictly historical interest - i.e. pages that were only useful while the initial multiarch transition was ongoing.


CategoryPortal CategoryMultiarch CategoryCategory