ISO/IEC 23360-1-4:2021

Overview

ISO/IEC 23360-1-4:2021 - Linux Standard Base (LSB) - Part 1-4: Languages specification defines the runtime language components that must be present on an LSB-conforming Linux system. Published in 2021 and prepared by the Linux Foundation, this part of the LSB series standardizes interpreter availability, runtime modules, and certain language-related libraries to improve binary portability and interoperability across Linux distributions.

Key Topics and Requirements

• Scope and Purpose: Specifies components for runtime languages found on LSB-conforming systems to support portable binary applications and consistent runtime behavior.
• Interpreters Covered: The document includes language-specific chapters (for example, Python and Perl) that describe interpreter presence, acceptable versions and behaviors, required operators/functions, modules, and interpreter command semantics.
• Libraries: Declares required language-related libraries and their runtime names (notably libxml2 - libxml2.so.2 and libxslt - libxslt.so.1). These libraries must reside in implementation-defined directories that the dynamic linker searches by default.
• Module Search and Installation: Defines that runtime modules shall be in implementation-defined directories which interpreters should search by default; the specification also addresses package dependencies and software installation policies.
• Versioning and Compatibility: Uses a clear versioning model (x.y or x.y.z) that defines major/minor/editorial changes and their compatibility implications. It encourages implementers to use symbol versioning where appropriate.
• Normative References: References established sources such as ISO C (1999), Perl 5.8.8 documents, Python 2.4.2 reference materials, libxml2 and libxslt manuals, and IEEE Std 1003.1 (POSIX) for definitions and behaviors.

Practical Applications and Who Uses It

• Linux distribution maintainers use this standard to ensure their systems provide the expected interpreters, modules, and libraries for binary compatibility.
• Independent software vendors (ISVs) and application packagers rely on LSB to build and distribute binaries that run reliably across multiple LSB-conformant distributions without per-distro customizations.
• System integrators and QA teams use the specification as a checklist for deployment, testing, and conformance activities.
• Open-source projects and maintainers adopt LSB language requirements to reduce runtime issues caused by missing modules or incompatible library versions.

Related Standards (if applicable)

• Other parts of the ISO/IEC 23360 (LSB) series
• ISO/IEC 9899:1999 (ISO C)
• Perl 5.8.8 Reference and Function documentation
• Python 2.4.2 Reference Manual and Library Reference
• libxml2 and libxslt reference manuals
• IEEE Std 1003.1 (POSIX) base definitions

Keywords: Linux Standard Base, LSB Languages specification, ISO/IEC 23360-1-4:2021, runtime languages, Python, Perl, libxml2, libxslt, ABI, package dependencies, Linux distribution compatibility.