Unix International was a non-profit organization that provided guidance for Unix System V. It was dissolved in 1993 after Novell acquired Unix from AT&T.
FAQs About The Unix International Organisation
Unix International was a non-profit trade organisation that was established in 1989. Its primary purpose was to guide Unix System V, which was one of the most popular operating systems in the late 1980s and early 1990s. With the rise of personal computing, Unix was becoming more prevalent, and Unix International sought to unify the various Unix vendors and encourage the development of Unix applications.
What Was The Role Of Unix International?
Unix International played a crucial role in the development of Unix. At the time of its establishment, there were several competing Unix variants, which made it difficult for software developers to create applications that could run on any Unix platform. Unix International sought to standardise Unix by defining a common interface specification called the Single Unix Specification (SUS). This specification defined a set of APIs and commands that all Unix systems should support.
Unix International also provided technical support to its members, who included major Unix vendors such as Sun Microsystems, IBM, HP, and Digital Equipment Corporation. The organisation facilitated collaboration between these vendors and encouraged the development of interoperable Unix systems.
Why Was Unix International Dissolved?
Unix International was dissolved in 1993 after Novell acquired Unix from AT&T. Novell, which owned the rights to UnixWare and OpenServer, decided to discontinue its involvement with Unix International and instead focus on promoting its own Unix products. This decision marked the beginning of the fragmentation of the Unix market, which would eventually lead to the rise of Linux as a dominant Unix variant.
What Was The Legacy Of Unix International?
Although Unix International was only active for a few years, its legacy is still felt today. The Single Unix Specification, which was developed by Unix International, continues to be maintained by The Open Group, a consortium that promotes open standards in computing. This specification has formed the basis for many Unix and Unix-like systems, including Linux, macOS, and Solaris.
Unix International also helped establish Unix as a mainstream operating system, and its efforts to standardise Unix have made it easier for developers to create applications that can run on any Unix platform. Without Unix International, the development of Unix may have been slower and more fragmented, which could have hindered its adoption and growth.
The gist
Unix International played a critical role in the development of Unix, helping to unify the various Unix vendors and establish Unix as a mainstream operating system. Its legacy continues today through the Single Unix Specification, which forms the basis of many modern Unix systems. Although Unix International was dissolved in 1993, its impact can still be felt in the computing industry, where Unix remains a dominant operating system.
