Macbook Architecture discrepancy

[cjm2176]

Hello all,

I am using a macbook 5 with an intel core 2 duo processor, which, as I understand it, is meant to have the x86_64 architecture.

however the terminal commands

/usr/bin/arch

and

uname -p

both give the result

i386

Is there any explanation for this discrepancy?

 

[robbieduncan]

Are you running the 32 or 64 bit kernel?

 

[cjm2176]

I am guessing 32, under system profiler -> software I have:

64-bit Kernel and Extensions: No

 

[robbieduncan]

Then I would suggest that is your answer: these utilities are giving you the architecture of the kernel.

 

[cjm2176]

I see, so would that mean processes that are 32 bit fall under i386 and 64 bit processes fall under x86_64?

 

[robbieduncan]

Yes, I would say that is a fair way to look at it. You could always try rebooting to the 64 bit kernel to confirm (reboot holding down 6 and 4 keys)

 

[cjm2176]

Ok thanks for the help this is more clear now