Sparc International Inc is readying version 2.3 of its Sparc Compliance Definition test suite, which includes more work on the System V Interface Definition, SVID, Posix semantics, long data types, light threads, synchronous input-output, ELF scripting language and object file formats. There is some Sparc V9 architecture-related work in there, Sparc International says, but most new stuff is derived from additional System V Interface Definition and Posix work. Some of the Interface Definition stuff will be replicated by the Application Binary Interface Co-ordinating Committee which is composed of the respective Sparc, iAPX-86, MIPS and Novell Application Binary Interface groups – the PowerPC camp is considering membership – which aims to bring all System V Interface Definition specifications broadly into line – more a question of semantics than anything else, Sparc International says. SCD 2.3 is in Sparc International’s approval process. Planning for SCD 2.4, or 3.0, depending on Sparc Internat ional’s preference, is under way. A major constituent will be Spec 1170 application programming interfaces. Work on the next iteration of Sparc version architecture specifications should begin in about six months. The company, which has given up its Sparcworks and Sparcbuilders verification and technology catalogue programmes to Sun’s Sparc Technology Business, is now down to seven staff which manage the Sparc International specifications, brand licensing, communication with buyers and information exchange. Fujitsu Ltd’s OSSI group has take over Sparc International’s Sparc Application Vendor application test suite programme and the one member of Sparc International’s staff on it. Despite the frequent squabbles and disputes between Sun and the rest of the Sparc community, Sparc International says it has not yet felt compelled to pull its ultimate legal card, an audit of compliance.
