ISO/IEC 23360-6-2:2021

Overview

ISO/IEC 23360-6-2:2021 - Linux Standard Base (LSB) Part 6-2: Core specification for PowerPC 64 architecture defines the architecture‑specific portion of the LSB Core module for PowerPC 64 (PPC64) systems. It supplements the LSB Core - Generic document to provide a complete Application Binary Interface (ABI) and supporting environment for compiled applications and installation scripts on PPC64 platforms. The standard is primarily a binary‑level specification that helps ensure industry‑wide uniformity for high‑volume application deployment.

Key topics and requirements

• Scope and purpose: Defines system interfaces and a minimal runtime/installation environment to enable portable binaries across LSB‑conformant PPC64 systems.
• ABI / API distinction: LSB includes both source‑level APIs and binary ABIs. The specification is primarily ABI focused; compiled programs must conform to the ABIs listed.
• Architecture specifics: Supplements the common LSB Core with PPC64‑specific details such as:
  • Executable and Linking Format (ELF) object format and headers
  • Low‑level machine interface and function calling sequence
  • TOC (table of contents), symbol tables and relocation semantics
  • Program loading and dynamic linking rules (program interpreter/dynamic linker behavior)
• Base and utility libraries: Mandatory interfaces for runtime libraries used by applications, including libc, libm, libpthread, libgcc_s, libdl, libcrypt, and utility libraries such as libz, libncurses, and libstdc++.
• Packaging and installation: Guidance on package architecture considerations, package dependencies, and a minimal environment for installation scripts.
• Conformance and versioning: Implementations must provide the listed ABIs (unless explicitly optional). The document encourages symbol versioning and defines version semantics (major/minor/editorial).

Applications and users

This standard is valuable to:

• Software vendors and ISVs packaging binary applications targeting PPC64 Linux: ensures compatibility across compliant distributions.
• Distribution maintainers and packagers who need a stable ABI baseline for shipping binaries.
• Compiler/toolchain and runtime developers implementing PPC64 support (linkers, dynamic loaders, libc variants).
• System integrators and embedded vendors building uniform runtime environments on PowerPC 64 hardware. Benefits include improved binary portability, reduced testing overhead across distros, and clearer expectations for library and loader behavior.

Related standards

• LSB Core - Generic (architecture‑independent part) - to be used together with this PPC64 part.
• ISO/IEC 23360 series - other architecture‑specific parts and related LSB modules.
• This edition replaces ISO/IEC 23360-6:2006 and is published according to ISO/IEC procedures.