Compiling a .NET 8 based DLL file

[Maj7510]

Hi,

I just want to compile an Ironpython command as a DLL file targeting runtime targeting .Net 8, but when using ipy command it only targets .Net 4.8.
So I appreciate it if you could let me know how I can create a .Net 8-based DLL file or run ipy under the .Net 8.

Thank you so much in advance

[Lamparter]

By default the .NET Framework 4.8 version ships for the Windows install.
You can compile from source to target another version of .NET

[Maj7510]

Thank you so much.
As I am not very expert in scripting, when I tried to compile in Visual Studio, it gives me the below error:
Severity Code Description Project File Line Suppression State Details
Error NU1104 Unable to find project '...\ironpython3-3.4.2\Src\DLR\Src\Microsoft.Dynamic\Microsoft.Dynamic.csproj'. Check that the project reference is valid and that the project file exists.
Can you help me about it and let me how can I find the missing files and folders?

[Lamparter]

You need to initialise submodules in git

[Maj7510]

Thank you so much. Now I can compile ipy undert .net8.0.
However when I run the new ipy.exe, I got this error:
"Failed to load language 'IronPython 3.4.2': No data is available for encoding 437. For information on defining a custom encoding, see the documentation for the Encoding.RegisterProvider method."
Do you know how can I solve it?

[Lamparter]

@slozier what's the reason for not targeting .NET 8 in the production Windows version?

[slozier]

The .NET 8 version is available to install as a .NET tool and also included in the zip package on the release page. This is all noted in the installing docs.

As for why the msi does not come with the .NET 8 version, it is because the expectation when running ipy commands is the availability of the full runtime. I imagine we could do like PowerShell and ship the full runtime, but this is not something I have had the time (or interest) to look into.

Relating to the original question, I had initially understood it to be about compiling DLLs, for example using ipyc, although now that I read it again it's unclear. Anyway, if this is the question, the reason we can't compile .NET 8 DLLs using IronPython is that .NET 8 does not provide the APIs that are currently used to do this.

[Lamparter]

What APIs are being used?

[slozier]

Expression.CompileToMethod

[Lamparter]

Actually, I think I've found a way to fix this
I found an old thread about why it was removed, I think I can add it back (to the .NET runtime)

[Maj7510]

Thank you so much. Please let me know when you add it.