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Intel Binary Compatibility Standard

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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

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References

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  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".