Aside from matching Google, which has offered a 64-bit version of Chrome
since last August, Mozilla's native 64-bit build of Firefox boasts
three key features: faster execution speed, better security, and the
ability to run larger programs.
An advantage of using 64-bit applications is their use of a larger
address space on a server or desktop. For a browser like Firefox, this
translates into having more tabs open at once and running more ambitious
in-browser applications. But other advantages of 64-bit apps include
better leveraging of address space layout randomization (ASLR), a common
technique for protecting against software exploits. Mozilla touts this
as a boon for 64-bit Firefox, and Chrome's 64-bit edition has similar
functionality.
Firefox Developer Edition, now in a 64-bit version, comes with a slew of
tools specifically aimed at Web developers such as a built-in IDE for
creating Firefox OS applications.
The third big boon for a 64-bit Firefox is increased execution speed for
JavaScript -- specifically, JavaScript written using Mozilla's asm.js
extensions, which allow highly optimized JavaScript to compile to code
that runs close to the speed of native C. Mozilla has touted asm.js for
porting C/C++ code to the Web, and Microsoft has elected to include extensions for asm.js in its Chakra JavaScript engine. (Chrome may be following suit as well.)
Mozilla provided a big example for 64-bit asm.js: "browser-based games
that deliver performant, native-like gameplay, such as those built with
Epic Games' Unreal Engine," featuring assets that are "often much larger
than we expect from traditional Web applications." With 64-bit address
space at one's disposal, it's easier to load and process those assets,
but there are ostensibly other applications for a larger address space
beyond gaming.
Firefox was previously available in 64-bit editions for Mac OS X and
Linux, but Windows still accounts for the majority of Firefox's market
share. An earlier effort to put a 64-bit edition of Firefox into the
hands of Windows users stalled in 2012, with the lack of 64-bit plug-ins for Firefox cited as a big reason.
But strong backlash from users prompted
Mozilla to reconsider, although it has made no promises as to when a
64-bit version will be released to the general public. Native HTML5
functionality has eclipsed traditional plug-ins -- from replacing Flash to playing back encrypted video content -- so it's easier to deliver a native 64-bit browser.
Mozilla is holding off on delivering a 64-bit browser for users to focus on higher-priority projects -- for example, Firefox OS, set to debut next year on phones in major markets.
Hello, my name is Mohd Azahar. I'm a self-employed Pivrate from the India.
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