Difference between x86, x32, and x64 architectures?

Question

Please explain the difference between x86, x32 and x64? Its a bit confusing when it comes to x86 and x32 bec

Answer 1

x86 means Intel 80x86 compatible. This used to include the 8086, a 16-bit only processor. Nowadays it roughly means any CPU with a 32-bit Intel compatible instruction set (usually anything from Pentium onwards). Never read x32 being used.

x64 means a CPU that is x86 compatible but has a 64-bit mode as well (most often the 64-bit instruction set as introduced by AMD is meant; Intel's idea of a 64-bit mode was totally stupid and luckily Intel admitted that and is now using AMDs variant).

So most of the time you can simplify it this way: x86 is Intel compatible in 32-bit mode, x64 is Intel compatible in 64-bit mode.