Sometimes we get asked what is the right Squish binary package to download?
To answer this question, we first need to find out what 32-bit and 64-bit is.
The terms 32-bit and 64-bit (the number of bits is called the word size*) refers to the information processing of the processor of a computer processor, also known as Central Processing Unit or CPU. The type of processor a computer has affects not only its overall performance but can also dictate what kind of software it uses.
32-bit versus 64-bit
As the number of bits increases, there are significant benefits. More bits means that data will be processed in larger chunks which also means more accurately as the system can point to or address a greater number of locations in physical memory. Software programs that require many calculations to function smoothly can operate faster and more efficiently.
Squish binary packages can be downloaded for both 32-bit and 64-bit computers. To get the right Squish package the word size* must match for which your application was compiled.
How to determine if you have a 64-bit or 32-bit AUT (Application Under Test)
Windows
1. Open the Windows Task Manager with right click on the Windows Logo > Task Manager OR Ctrl+Alt+Del > Task Manager
2. If necessary click “Mored details”.
3. Locate the desired process/application and check if the process name has a postfix of “(32 bit)” or “(64 bit)”.
Two other options are using the Process Explorer or Dependency Walker Tool to check if a binary is 32- or 64-bit.
Mac
1. Press Command+Spacebar to bring up the Spotlight search field
2. Type in “Activity Monitor”
3. Press the Return key when “Activity Monitor” populates in the results
4. In the Activity Monitor locate the desired process/application and check the “Kind” column for denoting a 32-bit or 64-bit process
Linux (Unix-like Systems)
1. Command: $ file squish
2. Output: squish: ELF 64-bit LSB executable, x86-64, version 1 (SYSV), dynamically linked (uses shared libs), for GNU/Linux 2.6.8, not stripped)
Java
Check if the Java Runtime Environment that executes your application is 32- or 64-bit and use the matching Squish for Java package.
*word size
Commonly the word size refers to the size of a processor register. On a 32-bit processor this will be 32 bits and on a 64-bit processor, this will be 64 bits.
The bit size of the processor is somewhat independent of the bit size of the OS. For example, you can run 32-bit Windows on a 64-bit processor. Your word size will still be 64 bits, but programs will not be able to address the entire processor word.
Find out more about word size at Wikipedia.