Unlike the bitcoin protocol, Lightning does not require consensus. Thus you can have one software (node) implementation that varies from another. One might support a feature that another does not.
The approach to standardizing LN capabilities and features are similar to RFCs, or BIPs in bitcoin, and are called BOLTs (The Basis of Lightning Technology (BOLT)).
Here's a good article on the three current implementations and the companies that built them:
Prominent Lightning node offerings include Lightning Labs’ LND, Blockstream’s Core Lightning, ACINQ’s Eclair and Spiral’s LDK.
For more info on BOLTs, Andreas : Andreas Antonopoulos' book gives more info on that. Here's an excerpt:
Unlike Bitcoin, where the standard is defined by a reference implementation in software (Bitcoin Core), in Lightning the standard is defined by a series of standards documents called Basis of Lightning Technology (BOLT), found at the lightning-rfc repository.
There is no reference implementation of the Lightning Network, but there are several competing, BOLT-compliant, and interoperable implementations developed by different teams and organizations. The teams that develop software for the Lightning Network also contribute in the development and evolution of the BOLT standards.
Another major difference between Lightning node software and Bitcoin node software is that Lightning nodes do not need to operate in lockstep with consensus rules and can have extended functionality beyond the baseline of the BOLTs. Therefore, different teams may pursue various experimental features that, if successful and broadly deployed, may become part of the BOLTs later.
Unlike the bitcoin protocol, Lightning does not require consensus. Thus you can have one software (node) implementation that varies from another. One might support a feature that another does not.
The approach to standardizing LN capabilities and features are similar to RFCs, or BIPs in bitcoin, and are called BOLTs (The Basis of Lightning Technology (BOLT)).
Here's a good article on the three current implementations and the companies that built them:
What Implementation of Bitcoin’s Lightning Network Should You Pick? | Bitcoin Magazine
#18556
https://bitcoinmagazine.com/technical/tradeoffs-of-bitcoin-lightning-implementations
For more info on BOLTs, Andreas : Andreas Antonopoulos' book gives more info on that. Here's an excerpt:
Mastering the Lightning Network: A Second Layer Blockchain Protocol for Instant Bitcoin Payments
#42448
http://library.lol/main/F4EE7BAA4FA0154EDD0C221CEE9E3174
Here's another post, here on SN, sharing a podcast where further discussion on BOLTs and the implementations occurs:
A conversation on lightning development and the three main lightning implementations: LND, CLN, and LDK with Miles Suter, RockstarDev, and Lisa Neigut
#21682
https://www.podpage.com/citadeldispatch/miles-suter-rockstardev-and-lisa-neigut-at-bitcoin-commons-on-march-18th-2022/
And, another related post, here on SN:
Lightning Network Protocol Development Curriculum (chaincodelabs)
#46207
https://github.com/chaincodelabs/lightning-curriculum