CODEWITHSUNDEEP
c#.net
Rob
Rob

Reputation: 759

Can C# apps run without the .NET framework?

I intend to learn C# and start coding Windows .exe applications, but the only thing that is holding me back is that not all potential users have the .NET framework installed and therefore would be unable to run my application.

Is there any way around it?

Thanks!

Upvotes: 29

Views: 45245

Answers (9)

PeterFnet
PeterFnet

Reputation: 366

Yes, with .NET Native.

Instead of compiling to intermediate language, it will compile to native code and run with statically linked .NET libraries. Therefore, there will be no .NET Runtime requirements for end users.

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/vstudio/dn642499.aspx

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dn584397(v=vs.110).aspx

Does not work before Windows 10

Upvotes: 13

isekaijin
isekaijin

Reputation: 19772

C# is just a programming language. From a strictly technical point of view, someone could develop a C# compiler that targets the Windows API or <insert your target platform here> directly. Sure, it would be a lot of effort because C# was designed to fit .NET, which means the compiler writer would essentially have to re-implement .NET to provide all C# features.

From a practical point of view, you just want to use C# to target either .NET or Mono.

Upvotes: 15

Madhur Ahuja
Madhur Ahuja

Reputation: 22709

It's not about C#. It's about whether you want to develop managed or unmanaged applications. C# is the choice for developing managed applications which run on .NET Framework.

If you want to avoid it, you can go to Visual C++ (without .NET) development using Visual Studio

However, .NET framework comes pre-installed with latest Os like Win 7 these days.

Upvotes: 1

Prahlad Yeri
Prahlad Yeri

Reputation: 3663

Microsoft started shipping .NET 2.0 with XP since 2005. So, even if your target machine was bought somewhere within the last 8 years, it should still have .NET.

If you are targetting the linux machines on the other hand, there is the mono framework available for that. You don't even have to include it, most repositories like ubuntu, debian, etc. has packages available for mono in their repositories. All you have to do is make your own package dependent on Mono runtime.

Upvotes: 2

Daniel Mošmondor
Daniel Mošmondor

Reputation: 19976

YES, there was XenoCode that can wrap everything that your app needs and runs it in as a standalone. I don't know what kind of dirty tricks they use, but there IS a way.

Now it's Spoon

From their site:

Spoon Studio

Easily virtualize all of your applications for instant, zero-install delivery on Spoon Server and Spoon.net.

Spoon Studio lets you convert your existing software applications into virtual applications that run with no installs, conflicts, or dependencies.

BTW, I'm in no way affiliated with them - just curious if the community will accept it or flame it.

Upvotes: 14

Fernando
Fernando

Reputation: 4028

You'll need the .NET Runtime. However, most of the PCs running windows already have it.

Upvotes: -1

Paul Sonier
Paul Sonier

Reputation: 39510

Microsoft makes a redistributable installer that installs the version of .NET that you require. It bloats your install, but it's pretty much the only way to do what you need.

Upvotes: 0

Adriaan Stander
Adriaan Stander

Reputation: 166536

NO as simple as that

Everybody might say that it is already installed/ or you need the runtime. But that means YOU NEED IT

Upvotes: 0

Donnie
Donnie

Reputation: 46943

No. c# only target .NET (or a comparable framework, such as mono). As an aside, Win7 comes with .NET preinstalled, and I believe Vista did as well. There are also a ton of MS apps which require .NET. It's getting near ubiquitous on windows machines, so I wouldn't worry about it.

Upvotes: 17

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