LSB 2.0 aims at Linux interoperability

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Sep. 16, 2004

The Free Standards Group (FSG) has released the second version of the Linux Standard Base (LSB), an effort to standardize Linux for cross-vendor interoperability. LSB 2.0 adds a C++ ABI (application binary interface) and support for 32-bit and 64-bit hardware architectures. The standard has received widespread industry support.

The FSG says the LSB 2.0 spec has already earned support from "the majority of Linux distribution vendors throughout the world." Endorsers include the OSDL, AMD, Conectiva, Dell, HP, IBM, Intel, Mandrakesoft, Miracle Linux, Novell's SUSE LINUX, Progeny, Red Flag, Red Hat, Sun Wah Linux, Thizlinux, and Turbolinux. (complete list available here).

The LSB aims to promote Linux interoperability and combat "fragmentation," or fracturing into non-interoperable forks by various distributors, a phenomenon generally acknowledged to have killed Unix, and hamstrung TRON and other embedded OSes.

Linux International's Jon "Maddog" Hall explains, "If I, as a developer, have to port my application to two different distributions of Linux, that is one distribution too many. The way of assuring that every distribution has all the applications it needs to be successful is through specifying and applying a cross-distribution, cross-application, neutrally-determined standard. The LSB provides that specification. Without this, we are no better than the proprietary Unix systems of old."

Distributions that comply with the LSB achieve interoperability with application software written to the standard. This simplifies the development and porting of applications by ISVs, who can save millions by basing the applications on a clear set of standards, the FSG says. It also guarantees that end users will not get forced behind a closed operating platform.

Mark Brewer, CEO of Covalent, said, "Ensuring our distribution of Apache complies with the Linux Standard Base guarantees interoperability with all major Linux distributions. That keeps our porting costs down and gives our enterprise customer the freedom and flexibility they demand from open source."

IDC's vice president of system software research Dan Kusnetzky said, "IDC forecasted in 1997 that Linux would achieve mainstream status in all markets by the end of 2005. It appears that this process is well underway now. Linux has already achieved this status in some markets. Multi-vendor, multi-platform, standards, such as the Linux Standards Base (LSB), are obviously a critical success factor if distributors, independent software suppliers, and end-user organizations are going to continue to invest in Linux."

The LSB is also a fundamental component of other industry standards, including the OSDL's Carrier Grade Linux specification and the Embedded Linux Consortium's Platform Specification.

In addition to maintaining the LSB (and other open industry standards such as Lil8nux, the FSG also offers compliance testing.

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