How to support linux for my C# project

Question

Hello everyone, I have a project that is an open source application for a specific type of scientific calculation that uses c++ for the backend, and C# for the front end. I'm not doing anything windows specific in the c++ portion, so I'm hoping for a relatively small learning curve there. I have a few specific questions, and I would appreciate any advice in general about this type of transition. Please keep in mind that I know absolutely nothing about Linux, but I am willing to learn.

1. Is there an IDE that is similar to Visual Studio? Ideally, I would like to set it up in a similar fashion to what I have now, with 2 C# solutions and a couple of c++ dlls. I really don't want to use a text editor alone and link with a command line
2. Is there some tool to give me an idea about problems I might have in the transition?
3. Is there anyway to translate my Visual Studio options to gcc options?

I know that I don't need to support Linux technically, as almost everyone in my field uses Windows, or has easy access to a Windows box, but I thought this might be interesting from a technical standpoint.

Answer 1

There is a IDE you can use for C# on linux - it is Mono Develop. The current version will open visual studio project and solution files, so zero knowledge is needed to migrate to it.

It uses the Mono project, which is an implementation of C# for linux.

They have created a migration tool (MoMa) so you can test your C# code and see if it will work on linux - it will provide you with hints and explanations of what isn't portable and why.

I know this isn't the c++ route you are asking about, but it is probably going to be the easiest and quickest way to make your application platform independent.

Answer 2

The answer to nr 1 is: MonoDevelop. Which also comes with Mono, the .NET version that's platform independent. It's a must-use when you do this transition. It runs also on Windows, which makes the learning curve less steep.

The answer to nr 2 is: I don't know..., but running your program compiled for Mono should give you a fair idea of platform specific issues you have in your code.

The answer to nr 3 is: try that as a specific question, that will give that rather complex issue the right attention and support.

The answer to nr X is: use an automatic build (NAnt or similar) to automatically build your code for several target platforms. However, it is possible that your .NET code runs unmodified for either platform (ideally it should) and only your C++ part needs special attention.

Answer 3

Everyone else has already mentioned MonoDevelope. But there is also MoMA which can scan a .NET application and look for commands like pInvoke that will not be portable.