Linux Small Knowledge Translation-Architecture cont. (Arch)

Last time, the term architecture was explained from the perspective of "internal construction of the computer". This time, we introduce the "i386 architecture that is often mentioned in the framework and the"i486","i586".

When installing Linux, many people will often hear the word i386 architecture even if they don't understand it. Therefore, it is mistaken that "the architecture of your own PC is I386 architecture". The number of people who use I386 is very few now.

I386 I is the first letter of "intel". I386 is the 1985 release of the architecture, then still in use i386 computer people ... I haven't changed my computer in nearly 20 years. (This article should be written by the author about 2005 years)

In fact the I386 CPU official name is "80386". Before 80386 was 8086 and 80286, followed by 80486. 80386 is actually one of the "80x86" series CPUs.

This "80x86" series, as a "personal computer", is used by many PCs in the world.

Note: after 8086 there are also 80186, but not much on the PC, so not so common.

The i386 is the first 32-bit CPU in the "80x86 series. Also, Linux was born on the i386.

After that, the x86 series was upgraded again, appearing 80486, then ...

In fact there is no official 80586 of this type of CPU. Because of the trademark problem, after 80486 is "pentium" (that is, once popular Pentium machine), and then "pentium pro/pentium ii/pentium iii".

However, it was more popular to call 80x86, so Pentium was called "i586","pentium Pro/pentium Ii/pentium iii" is called "i686".

Later Xeon, based on Pentium III, was also included in the i686. Then post the various architectures, about who is "i786"? There is a lot of controversy. (in most cases, Pentium 4 is considered "i786")

In fact, the names of i786 and i886 were rarely used.

The architecture mentioned here is inherited from I386, and "OS and applications for I386" can be run on these architectures.

IA-64 and the like on the 64-bit architecture, i386-oriented applications have a lot of can not run, so the architecture "for the moment as a i386" look at a bit dangerous,

However, on PCs that target a normal user, you can think of "i386"-oriented applications to work.