The MIPS Application Binary Interface group adherents to Unix System V.4, formerly known as the Apache Group, and the last vestige of the spoiled Advanced Computing Environment Initiative, last week wheeled out its long-promised Unix System V.4-on-MIPS Technologies Inc R-series application binary interface, developed on MIPS Magnum 3000 reference system running RISC/os 5.01. The important compatibility advance will enable software to run unchanged on all R-series systems regardless of the supplier. The cost savings accruing to independent software houses that will no longer have to support multiple versions of their products is expected to entice others into the fold and redirect investment into added features and more robust programs. The group believes that its collective strength – 141,000 terminals – will make it second in the software queue behind only to Sun Microsystems Inc, which has an estimated 241,000 single-user systems. Members such as Control Data Systems Inc and Silicon Graphics Inc announced their immediate compliance with what the MIPS Applications Binary Interface group calls the Black Book. Pyramid Technology Corp will adhere by next month, Siemens Nixdorf Informationssysteme AG by mid-year and Concurrent Computer Corp by early 1994. Software companies supporting the MIPS ABI include Oracle Corp and SAS Institute Inc, which helped in its definition, IXI Ltd, Z-Code Software Inc, Veritas Inc, Syntax Inc, Quadratron Inc, Neuron Data Inc, Mentor Graphics Corp, Interleaf Inc, Information Builders Inc, Frame Technology Inc, Empress Software Inc, Digital Tools Inc and Acucobol Inc. In Japan, NEC and Sony have established the OCMP or Open Computing environment for MIPS Platform specification for Japanese companies, a standard now supported by Sanyo Electric Co, Siemens Nixdorf, Sumitomo Corp, Nippon Silicon Graphics, Olivetti of Japan, Tandem Japan and Pyramid. NEC Corp says that it will be fully compliant by June.
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