In another step towards general release, the first beta of Linux Standard Base (LSB) 4.0 was released today. LSB 4.0 will introduce a new application checker, a new shell script checker, and a new multi-version software development kit (SDK) that will enable developers to build applications to earlier LSB specifications without changing SDKs.

"This LSB 4.0 release is aimed at the practical needs of developers, both those looking for a standard platform and those who just want some practical advice on portability," said Jeff Licquia, Senior Engineer and technical lead for LSB 4.0 at the Linux Foundation.

The LSB was created to solve the challenges of multiple-distribution development and lower the overall costs of supporting the Linux platform. By reducing the differences between individual Linux distributions, the LSB greatly reduces the costs involved with porting applications to different distributions, and lowers the cost and effort involved in after-market support of those applications. The LSB enables ISVs to cost effectively target the Linux platform, reducing the ISVs' porting, support, and testing costs, while helping them address a global market for their applications.

This new version of LSB promises to accomplish these goals in a more powerful way.

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