Search code examples
javadll64-bit32-bit

Running 32-bit dll on 64-bit machine in java

I am attempting to use a 3rd-party dll for a program I am writing in java. Unfortunately, it only has 32-bit support. When I attempt to load the dll in a 64-bit VM, I get the following error:

Can't load IA 32-bit .dll on a AMD 64-bit platform

I have tried running in a 32-bit VM, which works in eclipse, but when I export the project, I get the same error. Please help!

Sincerely, Ben

Solution

  • You cannot use a 32-bit DLL in a 64-bit Hotspot JVM. It won't work. And I don't know of any other 64-bit JVM that supports 32-bit DLLs.

    Indeed, as Peter Lawrey points out, this is not just a JVM limitation. No mainstream operating system allows an application running in 64-bit mode to load and use a 32-bit library.

    Your choices are:

    • Switch to a 32-bit JVM. (You can run a 32bit JVM on a 64-bit OS ...)
    • Port the DLL to 64-bit.
    • Switch to an alternative library that is pure Java, or has a 64-bit DLL.

    I have tried running in a 32-bit VM, which works in eclipse, but when I export the project, I get the same error.

    That can only mean that you are running a 32-bit JVM to run the application within Eclipse, and a 64-bit JVM to run the application outside of Eclipse. (The issue is how you run the application, not how you export it ...)