[DotGNU]Ml-pnet , status report 04-06-2003

[Gopal V]

Hey all,
        I've just finished updating the Npgsql (a Managed ADO provider)
to ml-pnet , which rounds off my first round of porting libraries.
So now you can access Sql databases from Portable.net .. The various
supported clients and tools are available only from CVS as it has
not had a release yet. It's the smallest CVS module , but requires
additional downloads to compile (better read the README well & proper).

        The second wave of porting (literally lugging code around ;-) met 
with disaster and here's how the disaster plan began ... With a bit 
of historical context (for dramatic effect ;-)

Quoting Rhys from old mails ,

10-Jul-2002: Cut 1

> I do expect that there will be a Windows.Forms in the Mono
> libraries eventually.  So compatibility should sort itself
> out in time.

04-Sep-2002 : Cut 2
 
> As has been stated before, we will be using Mono's implementation
> of high-level C# libraries, including Windows.Forms.  They are
> actively working on it at present.

04-Jun-2003: And the anti-climax

"But, it was not to be !" 

>       plans for this library have changed, the plans to use multiple
>       backends is no longer being pursued.

So no Gtk/Native UI backend ?

>       In order to use WineLib/Win32 functions under Mono I have created a 
> small
>       "stub" application that embeds the Mono engine inside the WineLib 
> application.

Pnet will require its own embedding  , internal calls and other framework
changes to this .

>       with garbage collection disabled as there is a problem using WineLib 
> with 
>       garbage collection enabled

And with a GC ?

This of course means "reinvent" the wheel because they used three screws
and we're using bolts to hook up the axle !.. Considering the fact that 
the last 4 days I spent in fixing compiler errors in Winforms code , Oof !
Wasted effort, I guess ... :-(

As of now all I'm getting are buffer overruns while trying to run the
WinForms apps...

But I'm thankful for people like Francisco Figueiredo Jr. , who has 
helped me debug and port Npgsql to pnet ... So could someone test out
Sql access via Npgsql from an ``alien'' platform like OS X or HPUX 
(since this does not need PInvoke , you are no longer limited to using 
platforms with libffi !!). Holler for instructions if you want !

Have fun,
Gopal
-- 
The difference between insanity and genius is measured by success