64bit perl and memory usage

[wiggly@wiggly.org]

alex at owal.co.uk wrote:
> Because of some massively memory wasteful programs I am approaching the
> maximum memory limit per process. I am moving to 64 bit perl (because the
> boss said so). I'm trying it out now on some x86 boxes with a 64 bit
> version of Solaris 10.
> 
> Now from first glance it seems like the programs are using quite a bit
> more memory with 64 bit perl than they did with 32. I have a vague
> understanding that pointers are double in size, which is why the maximum
> memory is so much larger.

If you're really hitting the hard ceiling already then you would appear 
to have two obvious options.

1) Slim down the program's memory requirements if you are able to.

2) Allow them to address more memory.

If you cannot for whatever reason do 1 then you are left with 2. I don't 
see what other choice you really have.

Option 1 is better though. Do you have the ability to go and have a look 
at reducing their memory footprint or is there no access to code/time to 
do it?

   n