[Mono-list] Compiling .NET programs to EXE files that run without Mono/NET Framework

[Miguel de Icaza]

Hello,

> a. I am running XP and would like to compile .NET programs to standalone EXE 
> files that run without Mono/NET Framework.
> 
> b. I tried using mono --aot filename.exe and noticed that Mono runs 2 
> programs - AS (assembler) and gcc (to link). The filename that is generated 
> is filename.exe.dll as I had MingW installed in my PC as well.

AOT compilation is merely a process that avoids JITing, it is not a
process to produce standalone images.  Think of it as "caching" the JIT
result for a faster startup experience.

> c. How do I compile it to run properly? I noticed that Mono doesn't allow me 
> to stop the assembly process in XP. I could however see a series of 

You might want to look into `mkbundle' instead.