SUN Solaris vs Linux
 

Hi, Guys!

I have a simple question. I have a binary program compiled for SUN5 Solaris. I cannot run this binary in a linux machine. I tried, but it was impossible. So... Is Linux incompatible with Solaris? Do you think I get to run this software in a machine with SUN9 Solaris?

Regards,
Jose Alexandre

Well, the files structures are different from one another and the Solaris binary most likely was only programmed to work on Solaris. Have you attempted to look for an alternative to the binary for Linux?

Given that a binary that works on one version of one linux distro often won't work on a different version of the same distro or a different contemporary distro , I think the odds of a binary working on Solaris and Linux which are totally different OSs is slim to say the least.

With different OSs, you have three levels of compatibility. The most common is none at all : you can't even compile the same code on different servers without tweaking it. Some OSs have source compatability (e.g. AIX 5 and Linux) where in most cases you can take source code written for Linux and compile it to run on AIX without amendment; as long as you follow certain rules and don't do anything too wacky. Having the same compiled binary running OK on different OSs is the third and, as I say, is uncommon to say the least.

Hi, trickykid!

This is a very specific and very old software. I only got a binary done in 1997. There is not an alternative to the binary for Linux. : - (

Hello, iainr!

I will look for a Solaris machine. But... I won't find a SUN5 Solaris. Cannot the binary run in a SUN9 Solaris machine?

Regards,
Jose Alexandre

Most likely I'm sure the filesystems and library's have changed, etc. You'd probably have to install all the dependencies on the Sun5 on the Solaris 9 machine in order for the binary to work.

PS, I'm moving this to our Solaris forum where it seems more suitable.

Sorry guys but there's no such beast like SUN5 Solaris vs SUN9 Solaris, perhaps Solaris 2.5 vs Solaris 9 is what you're talking about.

Anyway, put your binary on a Solaris machine (any kind) and type:

$ file yourBinary

That will give you a clue about it

hrm...
 

Solaris would most-likely be on a SPARC machine right? If your linux machine x86, that might also be another factor to consider.

Yes, just a reason why I asked for the "file" command output actually ...

OK. Now, I understand.

The output to "$ file binary" command is:

FMatrix: ELF 32-bit MSB executable, SPARC, version 1 (SYSV), statically linked, stripped

But... What does that mean? Cannot I run this binary one in a PC machine?

Regards,
Jose Alexandre

Bad news for you, but there's no way to run it on an Intel, the first reason being you'll need a SPARC and Sun H/W emulator/simulator, and there are not I'm aware of.
SPARC is an open standard RISC processors architecture, usually big endian, while PCs run a proprietary little endian CISC architecture, the instruction sets are completely differents and the data will be reversed.
If you happen to find the source code of your program, it would probably compile easily on a intel solaris platform though, perhaps just endianness issues.
Btw, the opposite, running intel solaris binaries on sparc solaris, is probably achievable by the means of bochs, a portable x86 emulator.

OK, jlliagre! Thank you very much.

Hi jlliagre

Could give me yr email address.

Best Regards
Yuvaraj.K
email : yuva_mca@yahoo.com

yuva_mca,
there's a small icon labeled "email" just in the bottom of each message pane, why not using it ?