NETfriendly

NETfriendly is a software project that aims to provide a compatible implementation of the .NET Framework, allowing .NET applications to run on non-Windows operating systems. It is an open-source initiative, meaning its source code is publicly available and can be modified and distributed by anyone. The primary goal of NETfriendly is to enable .NET code to execute on platforms such as Linux and macOS, expanding the reach and usability of .NET applications beyond their traditional Windows environment.

The project works by translating .NET Intermediate Language (IL) code into native machine code for the target platform. This process involves a runtime environment that manages the execution of .NET applications. NETfriendly is not a direct port of the Microsoft .NET Framework but rather an independent implementation designed to achieve a similar level of compatibility. While it strives for full compatibility, there may be differences in performance or behavior compared to running on Windows.

NETfriendly is often discussed in the context of cross-platform development and software freedom. By providing an alternative runtime, it offers developers more flexibility in choosing their development and deployment environments. The success of NETfriendly contributes to the broader ecosystem of open-source software and promotes interoperability between different operating systems. Its development is driven by community contributions and aims to be a robust solution for running .NET applications on a wider range of hardware.