A system and method for assessing binary compatibility between software
modules permits software developers to register with a system, download
software tools for testing binary compatibility between their software
products and one or more ABIs. The system further enables software
developers to certify their binary compatibility with one or more ABIs by
uploading compatibility information to the system. A unique identifier of
the software, e.g., the MD5 signature of the binary code, may be uploaded
with the results of the compatibility test. The results of the
compatibility test and the unique identifier may be stored in a database
to record whether the developer's software is binary compatible with one
or more of the ABIs. In addition, computer users may register with the
system, utilize a tool that collects the MD5 signatures of the binary
files on their computer(s) and forward the MD5 signatures to the system.
The system may receive the MD5 signatures, compare them to the MD5
signatures on record, and generate a report indicating the binary
compatibility of the files resident on the user's computer system.