Not all Linux distributions are made with the same components, which can make it difficult for software developers to write applications for multiple Linux distributions. That's where the Linux Standards Base (LSB) comes into play. For years the LSB has not quite lived up to its full potential. That could all change with the upcoming LSB 4.0 release.
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Member since:2005-07-13
I don't, honestly, ever see that happening. At least not in the distant future.
Companies that produce commercial packages for linux that specify RHEL or SLES will be able to engage Red Hat or Novell for support if any issues arise with compatibility. That's the whole point behind targeting those distros.
Applications might be produced to be LSB x.y compliant, but few commercial ISVs will stake their support on generic distros. Though at least having LSB compliant packages produced will be a start, it will just leave the customer to fend for themselves on support issues if they're not using a pre-approved distro. Red Hat, Novell, Gentoo, Arch and Ubuntu might all provide library foo.bar, but that doesn't ensure it will operate identically in each environment. THAT is the support nightmare ISVs will try to avoid.
Still, I think standardization is a good thing, since it points in the right direction. But things will certainly not change overnight, even with a standard in place.
Member since:2005-09-01
I for one have to agree (sadly). No matter how much tests you will write compatibility issues will show up the more likely the more complex your software is. Without cooperation of target distros you simply cannot be sure it will operate correctly.
The gain of LSB is hoverer that its establishment will lower the barriers of entry for not that much established distros. That is having sw product certified for RedHat which (I assume) will be LSB v4 compliant and stepping carefully with LSB in mind developer has great chance it will run smoothly on say Ubuntu (assuming ubuntu likes LSB4 too).
The blood sweet and tears of retesting the whole thing on each supported distro will not be removed by any standarization. No prof. with shade of responsibility will touch such product on uncertified distro.
The only problem I see is that mainstream distros will willfully delay LSB4 compilance to make it DOA.
Member since:
2005-09-06
Hopefully in the future instead of releasing software for Redhat or Novell, they give requirements as "requires a distro of LSB 4.1 or better". That will be the day when apps will work across distros without having to worry about incompatibilities.