Intel/AMD instruction sets

[carlottagp]

A stupid question, probably:

All my programs are written for an Intel processor.  Will they run - and can I write new ones - if I get a
new computer with an AMD processor?

Additionally...my programs run fine with a 32-bit system; will I have problems with the 64-bit system
that is starting to appear so often in the latest computers?

Thanks,

Michael

[dedndave]

simple answers:
1) yes
2) maybe not

for the most part, AMD and Intel chips use the same instruction sets

as for software compatibility from 32 to 64 bit systems, it really depends on the software
for one thing, 64-bit systems do not run 16-bit code (or at least, as far as i know)
there may be some emulator or something out there that allows it
i would say that most 32-bit code will work on most 64-bit systems

i guess i like the word "most" today - lol