What is POSIX compliant

[anon10048]

Hi

What does POSIX & non POSIX compilant means ? Can you please elaborate this for better understanding.

Thanks

[anup]

Anon10048,

POSIX is a standard which defines the minimum requirements for an operating system to be termed as UNIX. Think of it like this, a vendor other than Microsoft decides to call his operating system Windows (hypothetical as that is trade marked, none-the-less), now Microsoft must come up with a standard which all the OSs who wish to call themselves as Windows must adhere to. If is the bare minimum requirement, anything more is fine, but it will not work on other vendor's Windows.

In case of POSIX, it defines the commands, their outputs, inputs etc. It also defines the programming interface to a certain extent. So, from a user perspective, it makes sense to learn options etc. which are POSIX compliant. Also, it makes sense to adhere to POSIX compliant programming.

Let me know in case something is still not clear.

Cheers,

Anup