Porting C modules from AIX 4.3 to 5.3

[George221]

We have an application written in C that we need to migrate from AIX 4.3 to 5.3. The only thing I could think of is that we may need to recompile if we decide to run 5.3 in 64-bit mode. Can anyone think of other problems I may encounter?

 

[Gloups]

You only need to recompile if you want your application tu run itselm in 64 bit mode.

As far as i remember aix 5.3 is able to run 32 programs

 

[masrolyat]

The application would have to use the new 64 bit calls in order to actually use the 64-services offered by the 64-bit kernel -- so if you want the applicaation to take advantage of the new kerenl then a re-write of the application, recompile are necessary.
Is it necessary to recompile just because the system is 64-bit ? No. 32-bit applications can run on a 64-bit enabled system. The problem that you might have is that the native AIX C libraries changed quite alot (most major software companies have different versions of their app.s for AIx 4.3 and AIX 5). So your application might not function at all or just parts of it might not work because a C libraries was removed or its function radically changed.

If the developers who designed the application are still working for you company then I would give them an AIX5 test environment to port their application to AIX5.
I most certainly would not take a production system to AIX5 without it being tested first.
hope that this helps

 

[George221]

Masrolyat,
Would you know where I can find documentation on these C changes from AIX 4.3 to 5.3. Maybe a good starting point would be to scan our source files for any of these changes.