KSH93 with AIX 7.1

For clarity, I would like to point out that:

- We have modified our “failing” script and thus resolved the immediate operational problem, but we would like to avoid surprises in the future.

- The change in ksh93 version is not so recent, only our “discovery” of the changed behavior is recent, due to the jump from 6.1 to 7.2 as VIOS platform.

o ksh93 M 93t+ 2009-05-01 was included with AIX 7.1 since GA, luckily however none of our scripts running on AIX 7.1 is using the modified feature.was affected.

§ To quote the Redbook “IBM AIX Version 7.1 Differences Guide”:

5.10 ksh93 enhancements

In addition to the default system Korn Shell (/usr/bin/ksh), AIX provides an

enhanced version available as Korn Shell (/usr/bin/ksh93) shipped as a 32-bit

binary. This enhanced version is mostly upward compatible with the current

default version, and includes additional features that are not available in

/usr/bin/ksh.

Starting in AIX 7.1, ksh93 is shipped as a 64-bit binary (Version M 93t+

2009-05-05). This 64-bit binary is built from a more recent code base to include

additional features.

- For a complete list of information on ksh93, refer to /usr/bin/ksh93 man pages.



Our concern is related to the current and future support model for ksh93 on AIX.

Considering that:

- AIX 7.2 was released in 2015 (if I am not mistaken); at that time ksh93 version u+ and v+ were , it seems, available

- In 2019, IBM support is saying essentially that I have to open a RFE to get the latest , 5-year old version of ksh93

So to conclude need to have KSH93 available for AIX7.2 and future releases.