As of writing this article, the latest POSIX standard was published in 2018. However, the confusion starts with the name itself. First off, let’s examine the many names that POSIX has. Let’s first look at what Wikipedia has to say on the subject:
IEEE Std 1003.1-2017 (Revision of IEEE Std 1003.1-2008) – IEEE Standard for Information Technology—Portable Operating System Interface (POSIX(R)) Base Specifications, Issue 7 is available from either The Open Group or IEEE and is, as of 22 July 2018, the current standard. It is technically identical to POSIX.1-2008 with Technical Corrigenda 1 and 2 applied.
Although the most popular name for this standard is POSIX, it can also be referred to by other names as well. Specifically, here are some of them used to refer to the latest version of the standard:
- The Open Group Base Specifications Issue 7, 2018 edition
- IEEE Std 1003.1™-2017
- C181
Downloading the HTML version
You can download a compressed file of the HTML version of the latest POSIX standard fairly easily. You’ll first need to register at opengroup.org and login. You can then head over to publications.opengroup.org and search for “IEEE Std 1003.1-2017”. Clicking on the very first result should take you to the page for the latest POSIX standard. You should be able to download the compressed HTML version of the latest POSIX standard.
If you want to print the standard (or portions of it) or you just prefer a PDF version like me, you need to jump through some hoops.
The PDF version of the POSIX standard
While the HTML version is locatable and downloadable fairly easily, the PDF version of the latest POSIX standard, which should be a lot easier to print, is elusive. Here are instructions on how you can legally obtain a copy. At the time of this writing the latest version of the POSIX standard is Base Specifications Issue 7 2018 Edition, otherwise known as IEEE Std 1003.1-2017. You see the standard contains the year 2017, which the description contains the year 2018; I think this is because of the it was ultimately published in 2018.
First off, head to opengroup.org and register yourself. After you login, go to Membership -> Member Collaboration Portal [Login]. That should take you to the collaboration portal. Once you’re there, find “The Austin Group” under “Public Projects” and click on it. That should take you to the Austin Group’s page. You can get access to the standards documents by clicking on the login link there. Once you click on the “accept” button, you should then be taken to the downloads area. You should be able to download the PDF version of the latest standard.
If you see a pop-up asking for login information, enter your Open Group credentials there. I did get this and initially it did not work for me. I read elsewhere yo try after a while. When I tried later, I had access. The PDF is 3,952 pages long.
Why don’t I just provide a download?
Although free, the PDF version is restricted to registered users. It’d be wrong for me to host it. You’ll have to jump through these hoops to get it. It’s not all that difficult either. Happy reading, folks!