本资料为英文版UEFI 2.8规格标准最终版本PDF文档，详述了可扩展固件接口的规范和实现细节，适用于硬件与操作系统间的通信。
Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) Specification details an interface between the operating system and platform firmware. It succeeded the Extensible Firmware Interface Specification 1.10 (EFI), with some code and protocol names retaining the EFI designation unless otherwise specified.
The interface consists of data tables containing platform-related information, along with boot and runtime service calls available to both OS loaders and the OS itself. Together, these elements create a standardized environment for operating system booting processes. This specification is strictly an interface guideline; it outlines the interfaces and structures that must be implemented by platform firmware as well as those that can be utilized by the OS during boot-up.
The goal of this document is to establish a method for communication between the OS and platform firmware, focusing solely on information essential for supporting the operating systems startup process. This objective is achieved through a formal and comprehensive abstract specification detailing how software interacts with the hardware presented to the OS by both platform and firmware.
This structured definition enables an off-the-shelf operating system designed for platforms compatible with supported processor specifications to boot across various systems without additional customization from either platform or OS developers. It also facilitates innovation, allowing new features and functionalities to be introduced through existing defined abstract interfaces without necessitating changes in the OS boot sequence code.
Moreover, an abstract specification paves the way for gradually replacing legacy devices and firmware over time with newer types that offer equivalent functionality via established interface definitions, thereby maintaining backward compatibility while advancing technology.
The UEFI Specification is applicable across a broad spectrum of hardware platforms ranging from mobile systems to servers. It provides core services along with protocol interfaces that can evolve over time to cater specifically to different market segments within the platform industry. At the same time, it offers maximum flexibility for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) in terms of extensibility and customization options.
Ultimately, UEFI aims to chart an evolutionary path from traditional PC-AT style boot mechanisms into a modern environment free from legacy API constraints.
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