How to use the command mono (with examples)

Mono is a runtime for the .NET Framework that allows you to run .NET applications on different platforms, including Linux, macOS, and Windows. It provides a cross-platform implementation of the Common Language Infrastructure (CLI) and the Base Class Library (BCL) for running .NET applications.

Use case 1: Run a .NET assembly in debug mode

Code:

mono --debug path/to/program.exe

Motivation: Running a .NET assembly in debug mode allows you to attach a debugger to the process and step through the code, set breakpoints, and inspect variables. This is useful for troubleshooting and fixing issues in your application.

Explanation:

• mono: The command to start the Mono runtime.
• --debug: This option enables debugging support for the Mono runtime.
• path/to/program.exe: The path to the .NET assembly (executable) that you want to run in debug mode.

Example output:

Debugger loaded successfully
Mono: Waiting for debugger to connect...

Once the debugger is attached, you can use the debugging features of your preferred debugger to interact with the running application.

Use case 2: Run a .NET assembly

Code:

mono path/to/program.exe

Motivation: Running a .NET assembly without debug mode is useful when you simply want to execute the application without any debugging features. This is commonly used in production environments or when you don’t need to troubleshoot the code.

Explanation:

• mono: The command to start the Mono runtime.
• path/to/program.exe: The path to the .NET assembly (executable) that you want to run.

Example output:

Hello, world!

The output of the .NET assembly will be displayed in the console, similar to running any other command-line application.

Conclusion:

The Mono command provides a way to run .NET applications cross-platform, allowing you to execute .NET assemblies either in debug mode or without any debugging features. This flexibility is useful for both development and production scenarios, enabling you to leverage the power of the .NET Framework on different platforms.