[43] in Open-Software-Foundation-News
OSF Electronic Flash - X/Open Press Release
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (OSF Corporate Communications)
Thu Oct 6 13:08:59 1994
Resent-From: Bill Cattey <wdc@MIT.EDU>
Resent-To: osf-news-mtg@menelaus.LOCAL
To: newsnug@osf.org
Reply-To: newsnug@osf.org
Date: Thu, 06 Oct 1994 10:41:38 -0400
From: OSF Corporate Communications <corpcom@osf.org>
Date: October 6, 1994
To: OSF Members
From: corpcom@osf.org (OSF Corporate Communications)
Open Software Foundation
****************************************************
OSF ELECTRONIC FLASH
****************************************************
An electronic mail news flash for OSF Members from
the Open Software Foundation
October 6, 1994
***SINGLE UNIX SPECIFICATION NOW AVAILABLE***
New York; 4th October 1994: X/Open Company Limited, the
independent open systems organization, today announced
that the single specification for UNIX had been
published and is now publicly available. The
specification (hitherto known as Spec 1170) has been
ratified and agreed by the world's largest computer
systems vendors under the 'Fast Track' industry review
process initiated and managed by X/Open.
The process of developing the single UNIX specification
was endorsed on 1st September 1993 by over 75 software
and system suppliers.
The publication of the specification completes the
transition of UNIX, from being a collection of diverse
products, into a standard set of Application Programming
Interfaces (APIs) described in a single specification.
David Smith, of leading computer industry analyst
International Data Corp, commented "API specifications
such as the single UNIX specification, or Spec 1170, are
what we have long believed are the right level for
standardization and unification to occur in the UNIX
market."
The single UNIX specification is now available in book
or CD-ROM form from X/Open or its world-wide publishing
partner Prentice Hall Inc.
The published specification was launched today by X/Open
Vice President and Chief Technical Officer Mike Lambert.
Speaking at industry trade show UNIX Expo, Mr Lambert
said, "The publication of the single UNIX specification
is an important milestone for the open systems industry.
From now on, UNIX will mean the same thing to everybody.
System vendors, software developers and users can all
focus on making the most from a unified market."
For the X/Open User Council, which represents over 80
leading implementers of open systems, Chairman Denis
Brown (Vice President, PRC Inc.) commented, "We welcome
the industry initiative to unify the UNIX APIs. Now we
are looking forward to the new generation of UNIX
products appearing on the market."
X/Open is now preparing a set of software testing tools
which will rigorously check the compliance of operating
system products to the single UNIX specification.
Systems passing these tests from suppliers entering into
a trademark license agreement will be awarded the UNIX
brand by X/Open. The tests will be available in line
with the agreed end-of-year delivery date.
The single UNIX specification delivers benefits for all
sections of the open systems market. It enables system
vendors to develop and market their own implementations
of UNIX while continuing to support a single, common set
of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs). Software
applications developers may now save the cost of
producing and supporting multiple product versions.
User organizations can save time and cost in procuring
and maintaining systems by specifying UNIX in their
procurements.
The specification, which covers system interface
definitions, system interface and headers, commands and
utilities and networking services, is priced at $250.00
in book form and on CD-ROM. The single UNIX
specification can be obtained by contacting your nearest
X/Open office or by e-mail request at
XoUNIXInfo@xopen.co.uk or from Prentice Hall Inc.,
ISBN 1-85912-054-7.
About X/Open
X/Open, founded in 1984, is a world-wide, independent,
company dedicated to bringing the benefits of open
computer systems to market. The company markets
products and services to computer system buyers, system
suppliers, software developers and standards
organizations. By integrating prioritized requirements
and expertise from each of these groups, X/Open is able
to evolve and manage a comprehensive set of publicly
available open systems specifications, including de
facto and international standards, which define the
Common Applications Environment (CAE). X/Open operates
a test and verification procedure for products developed
in line with its specifications, and awards its brand as
the mark of compliance.
ends
X/Open and the "X" device are registered trade marks of
X/Open Company Limited. UNIX is a registered trade mark
in the United States and other countries, licensed
exclusively through X/Open Company Ltd.
============================
Mark Riminton
T: +44 (0)932 252900
F: +44 (0)932 253670
E-mail: m.riminton@sigmapr.co.uk
============================
