ISO/IEC 23360-2-3:2021

Overview

ISO/IEC 23360-2-3:2021 - Linux Standard Base (LSB) Part 2-3: Desktop specification for X86-32 architecture defines the architecture-specific portion of the LSB Desktop module for 32-bit x86 systems. It supplements the LSB Desktop common part to provide a complete, mandatory set of Application Binary Interfaces (ABIs) and supporting installation environment rules so compiled desktop applications and installation scripts behave consistently across LSB-conforming x86‑32 distributions.

This standard targets binary compatibility and a minimal, well-defined runtime/installation environment for high-volume desktop applications built for the x86-32 architecture.

Key topics and requirements

• Binary interface definition: Focuses on ABIs that compiled applications use at runtime. Implementations must provide all ABIs listed (unless explicitly optional).
• Common + architecture-specific split: Use this X86-32 part together with the LSB Desktop common part; the common part references architecture-specific details where applicable.
• APIs vs ABIs: The LSB lists both source-level APIs and the broader ABIs used by compiled binaries; the standard is primarily a binary interface specification.
• GTK+ and Qt stacks: Detailed interfaces and data definitions for desktop libraries are included (e.g., libglib, libgtk, libpango, libQtCore, libQtGui, libQtNetwork, etc.), identifying required symbols and behaviors on x86‑32.
• Package format & installation: Rules for software installation and package dependencies to ensure predictable installation and runtime behavior for desktop apps.
• Mandatory interfaces: Interfaces in this part are mandatory unless explicitly stated, supporting consistent cross-distribution behavior.

Practical applications

• Ensure binary portability of desktop applications compiled for x86‑32 across LSB-compliant Linux distributions.
• Help independent software vendors (ISVs) and packagers produce single binary releases that work on multiple distributions without recompilation.
• Guide distribution maintainers and system integrators in implementing or verifying LSB-conformant runtime environments.
• Provide QA and test teams with a clear ABI surface to validate compatibility of desktop stacks (GTK+, Qt, X11-related libraries).

Who uses this standard

• Application developers and build engineers producing precompiled desktop binaries for x86‑32.
• Linux distribution maintainers, packagers, and integrators who need to support LSB compliance.
• ISVs aiming for wide desktop Linux reach without per-distribution builds.
• QA engineers responsible for ABI compatibility testing.

Related standards

• LSB Desktop common part (use alongside this architecture-specific part)
• LSB Core module (Desktop module supplements Core)
• Other parts of the ISO/IEC 23360 series for different modules or architectures

Keywords: ISO/IEC 23360-2-3:2021, Linux Standard Base, LSB Desktop specification, x86-32, ABIs, APIs, binary compatibility, GTK+, Qt, package installation, Linux desktop portability.