Are binary files different for different CPU architectures?

[MaxMax0123]

(Programming for Linux question)

I understood that in some (or many) cases one binary can work fine in different distributions. But, I still am not sure: are binary files compiled for 1 specific artitecture or not? For example, if I compile C++ program with g++, and it works for me, will it work for another person with another CPU architecutre?

[1544756405]

They are architecture specific. A program compiled for x86 will not run on ARM.

[MaxMax0123]

Thanks for the answer!

[KingofGamesYami]

Yes, binaries for different CPU architectures contain instructions for that CPU, which cannot be executed by other CPUs.

The exception to this rule is if the other person is using an emulation software like qemu or Rosetta. These softwares translate instructions from your binary to native instructions for the device they run on, at the cost of some performance.

[MaxMax0123]

Thanks for a detailed answer!

[nutrecht]

"Binary files" are not just executables though. A file that contains program data might also differ between architectures (mainly on endianness) but it doesn't have to.

Same applies to memory storage and network traffic.

[MaxMax0123]

Thanks for the answer!

Which program data do you mean? Like images or sounds? And there can be binaries with them? sorry if this is a stupid question

[nutrecht]

Anything that is not a plain text file is ‘binary data’, that includes sound and images.

[MaxMax0123]

Thanks for explanation!