A technician needs to use a utility that was compiled for Linux on a macOS computer. Which statement best describes the native compatibility for this task?
A Linux application will run on macOS only if it is recompiled or executed through a compatibility layer, virtual machine, or container.
Only 32-bit Linux applications can be executed on macOS; 64-bit programs require virtualization.
All Linux applications can run natively on macOS without any changes.
macOS can run Linux ELF binaries directly because both operating systems use the same executable format.
The correct choice accurately states that macOS and Linux use different executable formats (Mach-O vs. ELF) and have different underlying kernels. Because of this, a Linux binary will not launch natively on macOS. To use the application, it must be recompiled specifically for macOS or run inside a compatibility layer, container, or virtual machine.
An incorrect option suggests universal native compatibility, which is false as most Linux binaries will fail to execute directly.
Another incorrect option incorrectly identifies bitness (32-bit vs. 64-bit) as the deciding factor, when the primary issue is the binary format and system call differences.
A final incorrect option falsely claims that macOS and Linux share the same executable format (ELF).
Ask Bash
Bash is our AI bot, trained to help you pass your exam. AI Generated Content may display inaccurate information, always double-check anything important.
What are the main differences between Linux and macOS applications?
Open an interactive chat with Bash
What does it mean for an application to be 'cross-platform'?
Open an interactive chat with Bash
How do developers determine which operating systems to support for their applications?