The Future of Unix Standards: Unix 10?

“For the last 40 years, Unix operating systems have helped to
power mission-critical IT operations around the globe. Now, as Unix
enters middle age, its backers are busily developing the new
specifications that they hope will carry the OS forward into the
next age of computing.

“Sitting at the forefront of the Unix ecosystem is the Open
Group, a vendor- and technology-neutral consortium that oversees
usage of the Unix name and compliance with its specifications —
particularly The Single Unix Specification, a set of specs that
constitutes a Unix-compliant system. Currently, The Single Unix
Specification is at version 3 (Unix 03), though new specs are
already in the works to expand on Unix 03’s successes.

“”We’ve been very pleased with the uptake of Unix 03,” Andrew
Josey, director of standards at the Open Group, told
InternetNews.com. “We’ve basically got the base specs done — we’re
just working on how to roll it out.”

“Doing so won’t involve reinventing the wheel. Josey said that
instead of ushering in a revolutionary change in Unix, any new
specs will be evolutionary in nature — and in particular, will
continue to support existing platforms and prior Unix specs.”

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