Why /lib64 instead of /lib/x86_64?

[Laurent GUERBY]

On Sun, 2004-02-08 at 17:30, Gene C. wrote:
> On Sunday 08 February 2004 11:08, Sam Varshavchik wrote:
> > The subject says it all.  /lib64 doesn't feel right.  Why add another root
> > directory?  We already have /lib/i686, so /lib/x86_64 seems natural.
> >
> > Ditto for /usr/lib64.  /usr/lib/x86_64 looks better to me.
> 
> IIRC, /usr/lib64 and /lib64 are "standard" for 64 bit systems .. not just the 
> x86_64.  So on a Sparc, Itanium or the IBM z/Architecture, you have 64 bit 
> libraries in /usr/lib64 also.

Note that for Intel, we may well end up two sets of 64 bits libraries if
the rumoured Intel 64 bit extensions to IA32 are not compatible with the
AMD x86_64 ones.

Laurent