The Linux Foundation releases the first public beta of Linux Standard Base 4.0, which reduces the differences between various Linux distributions for developers. LSB 4.0 features a new application checker, a new shell script checker and a new multiversion software development kit.The Linux Foundation has released the first public beta of its solution to
enable developers to more easily build applications that run on different Linux
distributions.
The foundation on Oct. 14 announced the availability of the first beta of LSB
(Linux Standard Base) 4.0, which introduces a new application checker, a new
shell script checker and a new multiversion SDK (software development kit) that
will enable developers to build applications to earlier LSB specifications
without changing SDKs, said Brian Proffitt, community manager for the Linux
Foundation.
According to Proffitt, the Linux Foundation created the LSB to address the
challenges of multiple-distribution development and lower the overall costs of
supporting the Linux platform. The LSB reduces the differences between various
Linux distributions, thereby reducing the costs involved with porting
applications to different distributions, and lowers the cost and effort
involved in aftermarket support of those applications.
Moreover, the LSB enables ISVs to cost-effectively target the Linux platform
by reducing the ISVs' porting, support and testing costs, while helping them
address a global market for their applications, Proffitt said.
"This LSB 4.0 release is aimed at the practical needs of developers,
both those looking for a standard platform and those who just want some
practical advice on portability," said Jeff Licquia, senior engineer and
technical lead for LSB 4.0 at the Linux Foundation.
"We have a new set of LSB tools to make it much easier for ISVs to
develop applications that are LSB-compliant, and to test to see how portable
their applications are via the Linux Application Checker," said Ted T'so, chief
platform strategist and fellow at the Linux Foundation.
Other features of LSB 4.0 include the inclusion of the Mozilla Foundation's NSS
(Network Security Services) and NSPR (Netscape Portable Runtime) as a
cryptography solution in LSB 4.0. LSB 4.0 also features new distribution
tests that cover more of the LSB standard, the foundation said.
The LSB 4.0 beta specification, test suite and developer tools are available
now on the Linux Foundation Web site. The full release of LSB 4.0 will be available
later this fall.
In other news, the Linux Foundation announced that its Free and Open Source
Software governance workgroup, called FOSSBazaar, has nearly doubled its
membership since launching in January. The newest members include Ars Aperta,
Black Duck Software, BT Design, Krugle, Palamida and nexB, bringing the number
of FOSSBazaar members to 15, foundation officials said.
Linux Foundation officials said FOSSBazaar was created as a Linux Foundation
workgroup to share information and best practices for the adoption and
management of open-source software by enterprises. The initiative was founded
by Coverity, DLA Piper, Google, Hewlett-Packard,
the Linux Foundation, Novell, Olliance Group, OpenLogic and SourceForge.
Linux & Open Source 
