Swapping a micro SD card between 3B+ and zero w

[komatsuma]

Hi.
I want to develop with zero w.
Sometimes, It takes very long time when pip installing (building pypi application) on RPizero w(arm6).
So, if possible, I want to build that kind of application on RPi3B+(arm7), then just swap the micro SD card to RPizero w.
Does this work?

If it works,
Is there anything to care about?
does it work also with RPi4(arm8)?

If it doesn't work,
Is there any advise to shorten the time of pip installing.

Sometime I found pre-build .whl data for arm7 someone provided. In this case, no problem.(no need to build on RPizero w.) I download it and use it. (Thank you very much to someone!)
I found some articles to use MEmu as a raspbian emulator on PC. but this way looks very difficult to me.

I use raspbian buster updated.
Please give me any advice. Thank you very much.

[jamesh]

The SD card will work fine across al lthe Pi range.

What you need to be careful about is if you are compiling your own apps, where you must ensure that the app is built for the right processor type - the Zero has an older processor.

Python should be fine though.

[GOTO GOSUB]

Another potential gotcha that I can think of is that the mode of operation with regards to the activity LED on the Zero is reversed to that of the other Pi's. If you are messing with onboard LED's then this is something to be aware of (most people probably don't, but if your application requires the LEDs be turned off or behave in a different manner than the default then be mindful of this).

[DirkS]

Another potential gotcha that I can think of is that the mode of operation with regards to the activity LED on the Zero is reversed to that of the other Pi's. If you are messing with onboard LED's then this is something to be aware of (most people probably don't, but if your application requires the LEDs be turned off or behave in a different manner than the default then be mindful of this).

IIRC you can actually change the behaviour with dtparams / dtoverlays in config.txt
And you can add conditional settings (e.g. depending on model Pi)

And as you say: hardly anybody uses it anyway...

[komatsuma]

Hello.
jamesh, GOTO GOSUB, and DirkS, I very thank you all for your fast reply and good advice!!!

OK. I will use Rpi3B+ for developing a product. Then, I will just swap the micro SD card to a RpiZero W at last.
I do use Rpi4 when it starts to be sold in my country, Japan.

Thank you very much!