ISO/IEC 23360-6-3:2021

Overview

ISO/IEC 23360-6-3:2021 - Linux Standard Base (LSB) Part 6-3 specifies the Desktop module for the PowerPC 64 (PPC64) architecture. Published in 2021, this ISO/IEC standard defines a uniform system interface and a minimal runtime/installation environment so compiled desktop applications and installation scripts behave consistently on PPC64 Linux systems. It is an architecture-specific supplement to the LSB Desktop common part and is primarily a binary interface (ABI) definition that complements the LSB Core and common Desktop specifications.

Key Topics and Requirements

• ABI and API coverage: The standard enumerates mandatory ABIs (and the relationship of source-level APIs) needed for binary compatibility of high-volume desktop applications on PPC64.
• Common vs architecture-specific parts: The desktop specification supplements the common Desktop module with interfaces that differ for the PPC64 processor; it must be used together with the common part.
• Mandatory interfaces: Interfaces in this part are mandatory except where explicitly stated otherwise, ensuring predictable behavior for packaged binaries.
• Compilation behavior: The compilation system may replace certain APIs (e.g., via macros) with calls to underlying binary interfaces and may insert ABI calls as needed.
• Library and toolkit support: Detailed interfaces and data definitions are provided for major desktop stacks and libraries used on Linux desktops, including GTK+ (glib, gobject, gtk), Qt (libQtCore, libQtGui, etc.), X11 and related libraries (libX11, libXext), graphics and font libraries (cairo, fontconfig, freetype), image libraries (libjpeg, libpng, libtiff), and audio/network stacks as listed in the annex.
• Package installation: The specification includes guidance on package dependencies and the minimal environment required for installer scripts and software installation.

Applications and Practical Use

• Software vendors and ISVs: Build and distribute PPC64 desktop binaries that conform to the LSB for broader interoperability.
• Linux distribution maintainers: Ensure distro images meet LSB Desktop PPC64 ABI requirements so third-party binaries run correctly.
• Packagers and integrators: Create installer scripts and packages that rely on the minimal environment and mandated libraries.
• Compiler and toolchain developers: Implement ABI-compliant toolchains that respect API-to-ABI translations described by the LSB.

Who Should Use This Standard

• Independent software vendors targeting PPC64 Linux desktops
• Distribution builders and QA engineers
• Systems integrators and platform maintainers
• Toolchain and packaging teams focused on binary compatibility

Related Standards

• LSB common Desktop module (use in conjunction)
• LSB Core module (supplemented by Desktop)
• Other parts of the ISO/IEC 23360 series (see ISO/IEC catalogue for full list)

Keywords: ISO/IEC 23360-6-3, Linux Standard Base, LSB, PowerPC 64, PPC64, Desktop specification, ABI, API, GTK+, Qt, binary compatibility, packaging, software installation.