std-unix@ut-sally.UUCP (Moderator, John Quarterman) (05/11/87)
N.043 April 22 1987 ``X/OPEN Proposals to IEEE P1003.1,'' X/OPEN Group, Section 3.25, ``Data Interchange format.'' POSIX c 10 POSIX describes a new data interchange format known as *ustar*. The XVS has adopted the use of *cpio -c*, a format which is already widely accepted and in common use. X/OPEN sees no reason to define a new format which will require implementaion by all supliers and which will significantly reduce the usability of media in this format in an environment where certain systems do not support the new format. X/OPEN has published details of the cpio header format, see *cpio(4)* in the XVS, the cpio utility *cpio(1)* and also the hardware requirements for floppy disk and magnetic tape, *sct(7)* and *XVS SOURCE CODE TRANSFER* in Volume 3. These definitions are in the public domain. X/OPEN proposes that POSIX drops the new *ustar* in favour of *cpio*. Volume-Number: Volume 11, Number 13