Is My Python Shell 32-bit or 64-bit?

Unveiling Python Shell's Architectural Identity: 32-bit or 64-bit?

Determining the Python shell's architectural mode from within the shell itself presents a practical quandary. While the platform module may provide insights into the executable's bit architecture, it falls short in distinguishing between a 32-bit or 64-bit shell. To address this, let's explore two reliable techniques:

1. Sys.Maxsize:

As explained in the provided documentation, sys.maxsize indicates the maximum value an integer can store. This value varies significantly between 32-bit and 64-bit systems.

Here's how to compare it:

import sys
max_int = sys.maxsize
print(max_int > 2**32)  # True for 64-bit, False for 32-bit

2. Struct.Calcsize:

In Python 2.6, sys.maxsize was introduced as a convenient indicator. For older versions, an alternative approach using struct.calcsize provides reliable results:

import struct
pointer_size = 8 * struct.calcsize("P")
print(pointer_size)  # 32 for 32-bit, 64 for 64-bit

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