Compiling C# code with Windows Forms in Linux

Question

I downloaded a few source codes containing C# code that uses windows forms. Is it possible to compile the codes under the Linux environment (Ubuntu 12.04) and run it?

I already tried successfully to compile a few C# source codes with mcs and run the resulting exe file with mono.

The source codes can be downloaded here. If it's possible please describe how would you compile and run chapter 2/OpeningDocument solution.

$ mcs Program.cs 
Program.cs(3,14): error CS0234: The type or namespace name `Windows' does not exist in the namespace `System'. Are you missing an assembly reference?
Compilation failed: 1 error(s), 0 warnings

EDIT

$ gmcs -pkg:dotnet Program.cs 
Program.cs(17,33): error CS0246: The type or namespace name `Form1' could not be found. Are you missing a using directive or an assembly reference?
Program.cs(17,25): error CS1502: The best overloaded method match for `System.Windows.Forms.Application.Run(System.Windows.Forms.Form)' has some invalid arguments
/usr/lib/mono/gac/System.Windows.Forms/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Windows.Forms.dll (Location of the symbol related to previous error)
Program.cs(17,25): error CS1503: Argument `#1' cannot convert `object' expression to type `System.Windows.Forms.Form'
Compilation failed: 3 error(s), 0 warnings

Yes it's possible. Works just the same as the rest. mcs and you're done. Why ask if you haven't tried? — user703016
– user703016, Commented Jun 12, 2012 at 16:42
Well the error seems pretty obvious: you are missing assembly references. — user703016
– user703016, Commented Jun 12, 2012 at 16:45
Mono does not support WPF applications. The zip file you linked to also would not open. — Security Hound
– Security Hound, Commented Jun 12, 2012 at 17:15

user703016 · Accepted Answer · 2012-06-12 16:52:23Z

4

If you're not using the latest version of Mono, this should work:

gmcs -pkg:dotnet *.cs

The latest version of mono uses mcs instead of gmcs. In the previous ones, mcs targets .NET 1.1.

edited Jun 12, 2012 at 16:52

answered Jun 12, 2012 at 16:47

user703016

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4 Comments

user703016 Over a year ago

You are not compiling Form1.cs. Replace Program.cs with *.cs to compile all your C# code, else just write the list of files to compile.

xralf Over a year ago

Thanks a lot, I'm just starting with it, so I'm rather asking first if it has even sense.

techno Over a year ago

@user7236293 Does the Mono Compiler Recognize all the needed files like the config file,the Form1.Designer.cs etc if i use the approach you have mentioned

hendrik Over a year ago

Just in case: On CentOS 7 I faced the same problem. After installation of package mono-data-oracle it worked as shown.

Robert H · Accepted Answer · 2012-06-12 16:51:26Z

2

You may wish to run your code against the mono migration analyser to see what fails or isn't supported. You can find the tool here: http://www.mono-project.com/MoMA. NOTE For the tool to work you will need access to a windows machine.

You can also take a look at current mono compatibility with various .Net features at http://www.mono-project.com/Compatibility.

Specifically for windows forms see: http://www.mono-project.com/WinForms

Hope this helps.

answered Jun 12, 2012 at 16:51

Robert H

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