ISO/IEC 23360-5-2:2021

Overview

ISO/IEC 23360-5-2:2021 - Linux Standard Base (LSB) Part 5-2 defines the architecture-specific Core specification for PowerPC 32 (PPC32). Published by ISO/IEC and prepared by the Linux Foundation, this standard supplements the LSB Core - Generic specification to provide a complete Application Binary Interface (ABI) and supporting environment for compiled applications targeting 32-bit PowerPC systems. Its goal is a uniform, high-volume application runtime environment so binaries and installers behave consistently across LSB-conforming PowerPC platforms.

Key topics and requirements

This PPC32 Core module prescribes mandatory system and binary-level interfaces (unless explicitly stated otherwise). Major technical topics included are:

• Executable and Linking Format (ELF) specifics for PPC32: headers, sections, symbol tables and relocation.
• Machine interface and calling conventions: low-level stack frame and function calling sequence details relevant to compiled binaries.
• Process initialization and operating system interface for consistent runtime behavior.
• Program loading and dynamic linking including program headers, interpreter/dynamic linker behavior and symbol resolution.
• Core and utility libraries required for conformance: libc, libm, libpthread, libgcc_s, libdl, libcrypt, libz, libncurses( w ), libstdc++, and related data/interface definitions.
• Package format and installation guidance, including package dependencies and architecture considerations for installers and scripts.
• Requirements for LSB implementation and application conformance, and use of symbol versioning to support backward compatibility.

Practical applications

This standard is practical for:

• Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) building binary releases for PPC32 Linux platforms who need ABI stability.
• OS and distribution vendors implementing LSB-conformant runtime environments and dynamic linkers on PowerPC hardware.
• Toolchain and compiler maintainers ensuring generated binaries follow the LSB ABI and calling conventions.
• Embedded and enterprise systems integrators that rely on standardized libraries and installers across multiple PowerPC deployments.
• Package maintainers creating installation scripts and packages that must respect LSB package architecture rules.

Adopting ISO/IEC 23360-5-2:2021 helps reduce fragmentation, eases binary portability, and clarifies mandatory interfaces for reliable application behavior on PPC32 Linux systems.

Related standards

• LSB Core - Generic (use in conjunction with this part)
• Other parts of the ISO/IEC 23360 series (LSB architecture- and module-specific parts)
• ISO/IEC Directives and ISO/IEC 23360-5:2006 (superseded by this edition)