Intel Binary Compatibility Standard

The Intel Binary Compatibility Standard (iBCS) is a standardized application binary interface (ABI) for Unix operating systems on Intel-386-compatible computers, published by AT&T, Intel and SCO in 1988, and updated in 1990. It extends source-level standards such as POSIX and XPG3[1] by standardizing various operating system interfaces, including the filesystem hierarchy layout (i.e., the locations of system files and installed programs),[2][3] so that Unix programs would run on the various vendor-specific Unix implementations for Intel hardware (such as Xenix, SCO Unix and System V implementations).[4] The second edition, announced in 1990, added an interface specification for VGA graphics.[5]

iBCS, edition 2, was supported by various Unix versions, such as UnixWare and third-party implementations. A Linux implementation was developed ca. 1994, enabling Linux to run commercial Unix applications such as WordPerfect.[6][7]

There have been several security issues in various iBCS implementations over the years.[8][9]

See also

References
  1. Cameron, Debra (1991). Unix standards. Computer Technology Research Corp. p. 64.
  2. "/opt : Add-on application software packages". Filesystem Hierarchy Standard. Retrieved 13 November 2014.
  3. George Kraft IV (1 November 2000). "Where to Install My Products on Linux?". Linux Journal. Retrieved 13 November 2014.
  4. Taylor, Noel-Marie (15 June 1993). "Consensys V 4.2". PC Magazine: 234.
  5. Scott Mace (27 August 1990). "Binary Unix 386 Standard to Be Revised". InfoWorld.
  6. Strobel, Stefan; Uhl, Thomas (1994). Linux—Unleashing the Workstation in Your PC. Springer-Verlag. p. 54.
  7. Youngdale, Eric (1 September 1994). "Using iBCS2 Under Linux". Linux Journal.
  8. "OpenBSD 3.3 Errata".
  9. "FreeBSD security advisory: Kernel memory disclosure via ibcs2".


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