Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!seismo!dimacs.rutgers.edu!rutgers!usc!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!sdd.hp.com!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!turnkey!orchard.la.locus.com!fafnir.la.locus.com!snap.la.locus.com!dlt From: dlt@locus.com (Dan Taylor) Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga Subject: Re: UNIX sys V4.0 Message-ID: Date: 23 Oct 90 01:55:39 GMT References: <15224@cbmvax.commodore.com> <1990Oct19.092925.4876@isis.cs.du.edu> <1990Oct22.041358.22745@zorch.SF-Bay.ORG> Organization: Locus Computing Corporation, Los Angeles, California Lines: 38 Actually, Application Binary Interfaces provide more than configuration consistency. One of the main reasons that 680X0 UNIX has had less commercial success than the 'X86 version, is that each of the developers, worse actually, different customer versions by the same so-called developer, had no commonality of system call paramters or interface, different load addresses for executables (most UNIX variants use fixed addresses, then memory management to sort things out), and, in general, incompatible media. Other than command similarities (no, Virginia, the commands weren't implemented alike, either) they were really different operating systems. A strict ABI prohibits all of these obnoxious practices. The 88000 ABI for UNIX V.4, for instance, requires a QIC-150 catridge tape for media compatiblity. You may have something else, too, but the STANDARD distribution and transport medium is THAT tape. That means that ANY software publisher can create a program ONCE and know that it will work on any ABI- conforming system. Some hardware vendors (and software extensions) may not be covered this way. If you have a a special graphics interface, or neat UNIX add-on feature, it isn't covered by the ABI. That allows for product differentiation. But if I write a word-processor that runs on an 88000 ABI platform, using "curses", which is part of that ABI, then it will run on any compliant platform. However, a windowing package, such as Motif or Open Look would be nice. So, there are further standards for those. Therefore, if Amiga UNIX is compatible with the (in the works) 680X0 ABI, then the cost of selling an Amiga version is reduced, since there's little or no special work involved. Makes the market broader, too. Should do wonders for the availability and price of good software. Hope this helps. * Dan Taylor * The opinions expressed are my own, and in no way * * dlt@locus.com * reflect those of Locus Computing Corporation. * -- * Dan Taylor * The opinions expressed are my own, and in no way * * dlt@locus.com * reflect those of Locus Computing Corporation. *