Linux distros

When a piece of software says that it can work on linux can it work on all versions of linux or can it only work on a specific version of linux.

it needs to be compiled for certain locations, but if you have the right persistence for tweaking and learning you can usually get most linux programs run on most linux boxes (as long as you have what the program requires i.e. if it requires x-window or SAMBA or php or webserver)

ok thanks