.NET native compiler (make programs that don't require framework)

[ctlajoie]

I was hangin out in the C# newsgroup and I found this post in a thread concerning the size of the framework:

An alternative way is to simply develop everything in C#, then compile the app into native code without .NET dependency. We are working on such a tool (Salamander .NET Native Compiler), which links everything together and emits x86 machine code. It does not require .NET framework, but the file size will be much larger.

Huihong
http://www.remotesoft.com

note: He mentions C# in this post, but there's no reason why it wouldn't work when compiled in any other language.

I became extremely interrested in this. After exchanging several emails, I came to realize that this IS actually possible! It's not done yet, but he said the beta will be out in about a month (I'm a tester ).

I am very impressed by his other software as well, and I wanted to plug his site. Check it out, there might be something you're interrested in: http://www.remotesoft.com
I hope you're as impressed as I am!

[Pirate]

The .NET Framework , won't be the problem anymore , simply because it will be included in all the new OS MS is releasing (starting by Windows2003 Server) and it's part of Windows Update too .

[ctlajoie]

Since the .NET framework was not included in Windows XP, I'd say the majority of Windows users still do not have it (I know a lot of people I know have never run the Windows update, because Windows works fine without it). Being about 20MB, the framework is still a huge inhibition for people who want to make just a simple tool, and to developers who are developing for Windows only.

[PT Exorcist]

Originally posted by ctlajoie
I was hangin out in the C# newsgroup and I found this post in a thread concerning the size of the framework:


note: He mentions C# in this post, but there's no reason why it wouldn't work when compiled in any other language.

I became extremely interrested in this. After exchanging several emails, I came to realize that this IS actually possible! It's not done yet, but he said the beta will be out in about a month (I'm a tester ).

I am very impressed by his other software as well, and I wanted to plug his site. Check it out, there might be something you're interrested in: http://www.remotesoft.com
I hope you're as impressed as I am!

i dont think that you fully realised it but, if u dont have the framework you dont have any functions to program with
(is the link broken? i cant open it )

[Pirate]

Originally posted by PT Exorcist
i dont think that you fully realised it but, if u dont have the framework you dont have any functions to program with
(is the link broken? i cant open it )

It seems you don't get it PT Exorcist . What this tech does it simply sum up all the functions used in your project and ship them in one file as I understood it .

[ctlajoie]

Pirate hit the nail on the head. It 'takes' all the functions out of the framework and puts them into your compiled exe, so it no longer requires the framework.

[hellswraith]

Ok, that is great, but you still need the CLR to JIT the assembly and manage garbage collection. You can JIT the assembly yourself and distribute it, eliminating it, but this 'technology' will have to implement the GC part or it would be worthless.

It will be cool if someone gets it working....and working right.

[ctlajoie]

You are correct hellswraith, he mentioned that the GC is one of the major parts of the project he's working on right now.

it appears the site is down at the moment. Try again later, it was working great yesterday.

[Pirate]

This new tech will divide .NET applications into two paths(who knows ) : One require .NET Framework , and one doesn't and who win is really determined by the statbility of this tech .

[Kasracer]

Yes! I asked this question and everyone told me it was impossible. I never understood why you couldn't just take the functions out of the .NET to make native code. I hope this guy can do it, I'd LOVE to be a beta tester

[hellswraith]

The mono project is already taking the .net functions and creating open source implementations.

[crpietschmann]

I am very excited about Mono. I love the idea of OS freedom!

But, it would also be nice to be able to compile the same applications into native code.

[Kasracer]

Originally posted by crpietschmann
I am very excited about Mono. I love the idea of OS freedom!

But, it would also be nice to be able to compile the same applications into native code.

What the hell is with people today bumping old ass threads?

I am a beta tester for salamander, currently it has a mini-deploy so I can create programs and deploy them with a miniture .NET framework, so the user doesn't have to install the framework and it usually ends up being only a couple of megs.

[nemaroller]

It seems like it would be feasible.

But I suspect major sources of grief will come with garbage collection and possibly .Net framework security permissions.

[Danny J]

there are several reasons why I find this impossible. main globalization in the framework defines your exe as a win 32 application. if the globalization was cut down into small pieces of native code, your app will end up with millions and billions of errors.

[Cander]

I still say its all a wate of time. I doesnt take any effort to install the .NET framework. Just install it.

[Crunch]

True enough that it's not really a great tradeoff - instead of an app that's ~400k, less compressed, you foist off on your user a couple of megs. Once a user has downloaded and played with 10 or so apps (whoever wrote them) they might as well have downloaded the whole framework anyhow.