Re: linux abi
On Sat, 2002-10-12 at 03:29, Rob Weir wrote:
> On Sun, Oct 06, 2002 at 10:22:04PM +0200, Reinhard Mueller wrote:
> > I was trying to run an SCO binary in woody (with 2.4bf24 kernel) and
> > noticed that linux abi is neither enclosed in woody nor in sid.
>
> Linux ABI? The Linux ABI is a property of the kernel, not a package in
> Debian. I have no idea if it's possible to run an SCO Unix binary under
> Linux at all...
>
> I do have vague memories of some Intel x86 ABI compatibility layer or
> something out there, but I don't even know if it exists or someone was
> just thinking about it out loud.
>
> So, uh, I'm not even sure if I understand what it is your looking for,
> but I'll jog someone elses' memory.
>
> -rob
There is some Intel x86 ABI support in the kernel - configured in the
same area where you set up things like a.out support and BINFMT_MISC.
I'm wondering if Mr. Mueller is referring to how, on various Unices,
there is a translation/extension package to run Linux applications on
those systems, partly because there are so many general user
applications that aren't available on the various flavours there. Linux
ABI is a bit of lingua franca there, what the Intel x86 ABI was supposed
to be but never really grew to be.
With Linux, the Intel x86 ABI is handled entirely at the kernel level -
either compiled in or as a module that is likely automatically loaded as
needed in most current kernels. As such, those applications that comply
to that layer as implemented in Linux should run transparently, as
though they were everyday ELF-format Linux applications.
--
Mark L. Kahnt, FLMI/M, ALHC, HIA, AIAA, ACS, MHP
ML Kahnt New Markets Consulting
Tel: (613) 531-8684 / (613) 539-0935
Email: kahnt@hosehead.dyndns.org
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