32 bit modules on 64 bit machines

dino has asked for the wisdom of the Perl Monks concerning the following question:

Is there a way to build a perl module that links to 32 bit libraries on a 64 bit machine using a 64 bit built perl?
Example:
1) x86_64 rhel 4 machine (default perl rpms installed)
2) 32 bin Sybase (32 bit libaries) (64 bit Sybase on this platform not yet avail).
3) sybperl module when built tries to link to 32 bit Sybase libraries and fails.

I could build a different perl but that increases maintenance.

Comment on 32 bit modules on 64 bit machines

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Re: 32 bit modules on 64 bit machines by ambrus (Abbot) on Oct 14, 2005 at 08:37 UTC
I'd guess no. I think you can only link 32-bit modules to a 32-bit perl.	[reply]
Re: 32 bit modules on 64 bit machines by mpeppler (Vicar) on Oct 15, 2005 at 07:09 UTC
There is a version of Sybase for the x86_64 platform, but I don't think you can install it for free (i.e. there's no developer or express edition). So unless you wish to buy the licence for the x86_64 platform you'll have to build a new perl binary. Michael	[reply]