32-bit/64-bit OS versus 32-bit/64-bit wine prefix

[fargodwe]

I have had this question for quite some time.

I understand the differences between 32-bit hardware, 64-bit hardware, the corresponding 32-bit or 64-bit OS, but I do have a question about 32/64 bit wine prefix in combination with those.

If I have a 32-bit application I have always created a 32-bit prefix. Are there some applications that might require me to actually have a 32-bit OS along with wine? Does adding the i386 architecture as shown in the instructions for installing wine provide the libraries, etc., (outside of specific dll's, etc.) such that I wouldn't need a 32-bit native OS?

I ask this because I would like to have Visual Studio Express 2008 installed so I could access Visual Basic and I have seen similar questions about other Microsoft products such as office and I simply don't understand some of the answers - especially those that say you need 32-bit libraries. Hence my confusion.

I am quite confused on this. I've tried reading the wiki, etc., but am still left confused.

Could someone provide an answer that a dumb guy like me can understand?

Thank you!

[jkfloris]

Does adding the i386 architecture as shown in the instructions for installing wine provide the libraries, etc., (outside of specific dll's, etc.) such that I wouldn't need a 32-bit native OS?

You are right. That's the beauty of multilib/ multiarch
Running sudo dpkg --add-architecture i386 and installing the wine-xxx-i386:i386 package with all its dependencies, ensures that you have a 32-bit Windows environment.

[fargodwe]

Thanks!! Btw - is there a way to set that counter under my name when I post back to 0? I ask a lot of questions and I don't want anyone assuming I know anything just because that number keeps going up.