It includes aspects like the kernel structure, process management, memory management, file system management, and more. Different operating systems have different system call interfaces and resource management strategies, which can affect how a program runs.

Check OS Architecture

uname -m

Docker images are designed for specific OS architectures because they contain a lightweight operating system that needs to match the architecture of the host system. If the architectures don't match, the Docker container won't be able to run correctly because the system calls it makes won't be compatible with the host system.

Go libraries that rely on specific C code need to be compiled for the target OS architecture. This is because the C code likely makes system calls that are specific to a certain OS. If the library was compiled for a different OS, those system calls wouldn't work correctly, leading to errors or unexpected behaviour.

Common Linux operating system architectures

1. x86_64 (or amd64): This is a 64-bit architecture that is widely used in desktops, laptops, and servers. It can handle large amounts of memory (more than 4GB), which is useful for running complex applications.
2. i386 (or x86): This is a 32-bit architecture. It's older and less powerful than x86_64, but it's also less resource-intensive. It's used in older or less powerful systems that don't need to handle large amounts of memory.
3. ARM: This architecture is commonly used in mobile devices and single-board computers like the Raspberry Pi. It's designed to be power-efficient, making it ideal for battery-powered devices.
4. ARM64 (or AArch64): This is a 64-bit version of the ARM architecture. It's used in newer mobile devices and single-board computers that need to handle larger amounts of memory.
5. PowerPC: This architecture is used in some older Apple computers and IBM servers. It's less common today but still supported by some Linux distributions.
6. s390x: This is a 64-bit architecture used in IBM's mainframe computers.

The main differences between these architectures are their memory handling capabilities (32-bit vs 64-bit), their power efficiency (x86 vs ARM), and the types of devices they're used in (desktops/servers vs mobile devices vs mainframes). Each architecture also has its own set of system calls and might support different instruction sets, which can affect software compatibility.