Apple OS X update breaks 64-bit applications

An update that Apple released earlier this week has broken support for 64-bit applications in its OS X operating system.

Mathematica 5.2 from Wolfram Research is one of the affected applications. The latest version was released last month and uses the 64-bit capabilities in OS X. The application offers technical computing for use in science, engineering, maths and finance.

"Due to an error on the part of Apple, this update prevents any 64-bit native application from running," Wolfram Research said in an email sent out to customers on Tuesday.

Mathematica has provided its users with a script that temporarily makes the application run in 32-bit mode while Apple is working on an fix.

Apple declined to comment.

Sources familiar with the matter told vnunet.com that the problem was caused by a library that was missing from the update. They expected an update to be released as soon.

Apple issued an updated patch for systems running OS X Tiger at midnight (PDT) on Wednesday. The company advices all users who have installed Monday's patch to install the v1.1 fix.

The computer maker issued the original patch on Monday night. The security update addressed 44 security vulnerabilities in its operating system.

The company's line of G5 powered PowerMacs and Xserve servers running the OS X 10.4 software are capable of running 64-bit applications.