Linux Standard Base 4.0 Is Feature Rich
Linux Foundation has released its first beta of the Linux Standard Base (LSB) version 4.0. The providers have already promised developers an easier work environment through the SDK, shell script and application checker. The successes are logged in the FOSSBazaar workgroup.
Brian Profitt, community manager at the foundation, announces significant enhancements in the form of tools for application testing, shell scripts and a new SDK. The SDK should be compatible with previous LSB specifications without having to change the SDK. "Developers for the LSB won't be tied to a single version of the LSB," says Jeff Liquia, the technical lead for LSB 4.0, about the benefits of the new SDK, "and you won't have to uninstall and reinstall SDKs to target different versions of the LSB." Based on the LSB, software producers (ISVs) can concurrently operate different OS distributions with one software package, with the applicable certification. "We have a new set of LSB tools to make it easier for ISVs to develop applications that are LSB compliant," says Ted T'so, chief platform strategist and fellow with the Linux Foundation. The ISV's porting, support and testing costs should thereby be reduced and any future compatibility and application development should benefit from this concurrency.
A significant contribution is the new Application Checker that allows development of concurrent Linux applications. A beta 3 version has been available since August. Along with testing application compatibility of different distributions, the Checker also notifies if the tested software is eligible for LSB certification.
Portability is another reason for introducing a new specification for shell scripts. The promise is that they should work in any shell. The new shell script checker should catch potential cross-shell problems in scripts. The goal is that scripts in one distribution should run on another without a problem. T'so adds that 234 applications listed in the LSB Database Navigator are already close to LSB 4.0 certification.
LSB version 3.2 has been out since February; LSB 4.0 should replace it by end of this year. The beta version with its accompanying software tools is described in greater detail on the Linux Foundation website.
At the same time the Linux Foundation is showing heightened interest in the Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) workgroup. Created in January as the FOSSBazaar, the project has since almost doubled its enterprise members. Among the newest to join are Palamida, Black Duck and British Telecom. The leader of the workgroup is past Debian project leader Martin Michlmayr, also known for his work on the Open Source Initiative (OSI).
Issue 272/2023
Buy this issue as a PDF
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
News
-
An All-Snap Version of Ubuntu is In The Works
Along with the standard deb version of the open-source operating system, Canonical will release an-all snap version.
-
Mageia 9 Beta 2 Ready for Testing
The latest beta of the popular Mageia distribution now includes the latest kernel and plenty of updated applications.
-
KDE Plasma 6 Looks to Bring Basic HDR Support
The KWin piece of KDE Plasma now has HDR support and color management geared for the 6.0 release.
-
Bodhi Linux 7.0 Beta Ready for Testing
The latest iteration of the Bohdi Linux distribution is now available for those who want to experience what's in store and for testing purposes.
-
Changes Coming to Ubuntu PPA Usage
The way you manage Personal Package Archives will be changing with the release of Ubuntu 23.10.
-
AlmaLinux 9.2 Now Available for Download
AlmaLinux has been released and provides a free alternative to upstream Red Hat Enterprise Linux.
-
An Immutable Version of Fedora Is Under Consideration
For anyone who's a fan of using immutable versions of Linux, the Fedora team is currently considering adding a new spin called Fedora Onyx.
-
New Release of Br OS Includes ChatGPT Integration
Br OS 23.04 is now available and is geared specifically toward web content creation.
-
Command-Line Only Peropesis 2.1 Available Now
The latest iteration of Peropesis has been released with plenty of updates and introduces new software development tools.
-
TUXEDO Computers Announces InfinityBook Pro 14
With the new generation of their popular InfinityBook Pro 14, TUXEDO upgrades its ultra-mobile, powerful business laptop with some impressive specs.