Novell ’s Mono Project Extends Microsoft .NET Framework to Linux

Novell ’s Mono Project Extends Microsoft .NET Framework to Linux

Novell today announced the beta program for Mono® 1.2, which now includes support for Microsoft* Windows.Forms to more easily port .NET client-side applications to Linux*. Other enhancements in this beta release include additional platform and hardware support, virtual machine upgrades, and enhanced Java* support, as well as significant performance, memory consumption and stability improvements. Mono is a Novell-sponsored open source implementation of the Microsoft .NET framework that helps corporate IT and ISV developers migrate existing .NET applications to Linux and develop new Linux and cross-platform applications with unprecedented productivity. Working within their existing skill sets, traditional Microsoft developers can use the Mono framework to effortlessly make their .NET desktop and server applications available to the fast-growing Linux market.

“Mono represents the ‘holy grail’ of software development,” said Steve Shreeve, CTO and co-founder of Medsphere. “Using Mono, we were able to develop a rich, cross-platform, point-of-care graphical user interface for OpenVista that enables clinicians to deliver better care to their patients. Now, our customers have the flexibility to choose the operating system that is right for them. As active contributors to the Mono project, we are also excited about the latest feature and performance enhancements in Mono 1.2. The new support for Windows.Forms significantly enhances cross-platform development and makes it even easier to build feature-rich applications for our demanding customers.”

With full Mono support for the Windows.Forms API, the graphical user interface portion of the Microsoft .NET development framework, developers can now bring their existing Microsoft-based client applications to Linux while significantly minimizing the time and effort required to migrate these applications. The inclusion of Windows.Forms capabilities in this beta version is a significant advancement in the expansion of the Mono project. Not only does it provide corporate IT and ISV developers with operating system alternatives for hosting existing .NET applications, but it also opens up the possibility of new desktop applications on Linux. In fact, Mono was used to develop a number of new desktop Linux applications, including Banshee music player, F-spot photo management tool, iFolder and Beagleâ„¢ desktop search, all to be included when Novell’s SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 10 ships.

Read the complete Press Release