Is it possible to run a program written in C# on a non-Windows computer, e.g. Mac ?

Question

does the computer need to have .NET framework or do u need it only for compiling ?

Answer 1

Its pretty hard to write a C# program that doesn't use .net. Some mentioned the mono project. I would check that out. Don't get caught up in the flame wars between C# folks and C++. But there are correct, if you want to program on a mac, you should consider tools that compile on the mac.



So, get mono and work in OSX, or get bootcamp or parrells and use windows. I've know folks with apple laptops that are using bootcamp and parrells and they are happy enough with it.



I would probably go with running windows on my OSx laptop so I could use the visual studio 2005 or 2008 express for free. I also use the XNA Game Studio for creating games. Kinda fun. But then I'm not a mac guy, if I really wanted to run a unix variant I would just run Linux.



Hope that helps.

Answer 2

A question like this is guaranteed to attract Microsoft haters. Hello. I hate something else too. I used to prefer the Gnome Desktop, until they added Mono, the "Open Source" clone of dot Net to it. Then it made my system so unstable I had to switch to KDE.



Mono is available for Mac OS X. Don't use it. Period. The Mac OS X and Linux both derive from Unix which is a modular as opposed to monolithic OS. Mono adds so many workarounds to make the OS more like Windows it's rendered my and friends' computers running both Linux and Jaguar unstable. So the answer is, if you're running Mono, yes. But don't run Mono.

Answer 3

I'm fairly sure C# programs will not run in any Mac OS, they're typically written in Cocoa or Carbon. I'm not sure about Linux, you might be able to run them in Wine or something. I'm not sure if the user would need the .NET Framework in order to use the program, but I'm leaning toward yes since it's integrated into the operating system.

Answer 4

Yes, it is possible.

Answer 5

Here is your answer.