New Linux Patches Cleanup Code For Running x86 32-bit Kernels On x86_64 CPUs

[phoronix]

Phoronix: New Linux Patches Cleanup Code For Running x86 32-bit Kernels On x86_64 CPUs

As we approach 2025, hopefully none of you are still running x86 32-bit kernels / 32-bit OS software on x86_64 processors, but should you still be into that, there are improvements on the way...

https://www.phoronix.com/news/Linux-Cleanup-x86-On-x86_64

[gotar]

And what exactly are these "improvements on the way"?

There are no gains for those affected (if anything, there are drawback), this is merely codebase cleanup, maintenance thing, not even worth mentioning (until entire x86 is going to be obsoleted) - but sure, more clickbaits...
For example I remember using HIGHMEM64G - if I hadn't retired this hardware a long time ago, I would be very dissapointed.

[uid313]

Maybe it is time for the Linux kernel to delete all 32-bit related code from the repository?
Everyone can just use 64-bit instead.

[jonkoops]

as we approach 2025, hopefully none of you are still running x86 32-bit kernels / 32-bit os software on x86_64 processors, but should you still be into that, there are improvements on the way.

laughs in steam

[FireBurn]

laughs in steam

It's probably the fastest way to see a 64bit steam client....

[kylew77]

I agree, this sounds like bad news for 32bit x86. Features are being lost not gained, but it also sounds like they may have been broken for years with no one noticing.

[StarterX4]

Last time I was using a 32-bit distro on 64-bit CPU was ten years ago, with Ubuntu 12.04-13.10. But it was on an old PC with single-core Athlon 64 and 2GB RAM, whereas 32-bit OS and software were faster than 64-bit on that machine.

[schmidtbag]

They're removing stuff that was niche even 20 years ago. I don't think there's anything to worry about...
Obviously, old 32-bit x86 is still going to stay for a long while. Removing a handful of complexities from ancient servers that aren't going to run a modern kernel is a non-issue.

[Veto]

Maybe it is time for the Linux kernel to delete all 32-bit related code from the repository?
Everyone can just use 64-bit instead.

You obviously have no idea how many 32 bit CPUs, which are out there running Linux. It is likely a larger number than 64-bit. Granted, most of them are ARM...

[Weasel]

Only 1k lines of code cleaned up? What a waste of time.

Obviously not worth breaking even 2 users. Like legit just leave the fucking code alone.