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C# C# Basics (Retired) Console I/O Start Coding

Anthony Kanellis
Anthony Kanellis
5,150 Points
Posted by Anthony Kanellis
Anthony Kanellis
5,150 Points

Compilers: What exactly is "mcs" & "mono"?

Are they programs that you'd typically have to install to create the compiled file to run? Is "mcs" the name of the compiler program, and is "mono" the name of the program used to run the executable code? If so, why specifically use these programs, and are there others? What's the difference between all the different compiler programs?

1 Answer

Steven Parker
Steven Parker
231,248 Points
Steven Parker
Steven Parker
231,248 Points

You're essentially correct about the purpose of these programs.

Mono is the open-source cross-platform development system for the C# language. It's also the name of the executable run-time engine that supports running output files produced by the MCS compiler.

And MCS (presumably short for "Mono C-Sharp") is the compiler of the Mono system.

I assume these are used because of the minimal usage restrictions combined with a well-established solid reputation for performance. But some courses use the Visual Studio Community development environment instead.

For more details, see the Mono Project website.