A.2.51 -m32|-m64

Specifies the memory model for the compiled binary object.

Use -m32 to create 32-bit executables and shared libraries. Use -m64 to create 64-bit executables and shared libraries.

The ILP32 memory model (32-bit int, long, pointer data types) is the default on all Solaris platforms and on Linux platforms that are not 64-bit enabled. The LP64 memory model (64-bit long, pointer data types) is thedefault on Linux platforms that are 64-bit enabled. -m64 is permitted only on platforms that are enabled for the LP64 model.

Object files or libraries compiled with -m32 cannot be linked with object files or libraries compiled with-m64.

Modules that are compiled with -m32|-m64 must also be linked with -m32|-m64. For a complete list of compiler options that must be specified at both compile time and at link time, see 3.3.3 Compile-Time and Link-Time Options.

When compiling applications with large amounts of static data on x64 platforms, using -m64, -xmodel=medium may also be required. Be aware that some Linux platforms do not support the medium model.

Note that in previous compiler releases, the memory model, ILP32 or LP64, was implied by the choice of the instruction set with -xarch. Starting with the Sun Studio 12 compilers, this is no longer the case. On most platforms, just adding -m64 to the command line is sufficient to create 64-bit objects.

On Solaris, -m32 is the default. On Linux systems supporting 64-bit programs, -m64 -xarch=sse2 is the default.

See also -xarch.