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I think .NET support would be a useful addition on the IBM i. It would be a good way to supplement languages/frameworks already available on the system. A few things worth considering:
With the latest releases of .NET (.NET 5, 6, and 7 come November) a growing number of platforms are supported, including various Linux distros
Adding IBM i to the list would allow developers to share existing code, this increases integration capabilities and, in my opinion increases the value of the IBM i
Because the focus in the .NET community has shifted towards a "single .NET mentality" there wouldn't be a need to add support for .NET framework, .NET core, separately. Focus could be on supporting .NET 7+ only
.NET already has database support for .NET via the Net.IBM.Data.Db2 NuGet package (link: https://www.nuget.org/packages/Net.IBM.Data.Db2/). So if support for IBM I could be added for that package, the database aspect would be covered. It would also allow developers such as myself to use existing code which depends on that package.
For reference:
.NET 6 current OS support list: https://github.com/dotnet/core/blob/main/release-notes/6.0/supported-os.md
Doesn't do much good to have a great database if you can't access it with anything other than 1970's technology.
with the announcement that IBM and redhat are working on porting .NET to power, i think now would be a good time for IBM i to get a "seat at the table"
If you want to keep your customer base get out of the 80s. Most development orgs move to the latest technologies and if their RDBMS platform is not up to date, they will find alternatives.
.Net Core and Standard has been out for a few years so a driver is not much to ask at this point.
The fact IBM doesn't want to provide access to their IBM i databases using the most popular development tools is not a good sign for the future of IBM i. It is open source, so it wouldn't take much effort on IBM's part to get this done.
Yes, this decision to decline this RFE for now will be re-considered in the future. We periodically review the priorities of what we will support next -- we declined this one for now to let you know that it is not coming within the next year. Once an RFE has been in the Declined state for one year, the Submitter will receive an e-mail to ask if it should be re-opened and re-submitted. At that time the Submitter should consider whether this support is still a priority for them. The number of RFE votes and the Comments from other customers about why this support is important to them are also factors that IBM uses to help prioritize Requests for Enhancement.
CAAC reviewed this requirement and would like IBM to provide more information on whether this will be considered for the future.
Dawn May - CAAC Program Manager
No plans to deliver within the next 12 months
I think this RFE could be very useful if the .net programs could be called by RPGLE programs. And if the performance is no problem. E.g. the java integration has the problem that allways a virtual machine must be started if a RPGLE program wants to use a java functionality. If every user starts a virtual machine you have a performance problem. So this should be implemented in a better way.
Due to processing by IBM, this request was reassigned to have the following updated attributes:
Brand - Servers and Systems Software
Product family - Power Systems
Product - IBM i
Component - Open Source, PASE
Operating system - IBM i
Source - None
For recording keeping, the previous attributes were:
Brand - Servers and Systems Software
Product family - Power Systems
Product - IBM i
Component - Application Development
Operating system - IBM i
Source - None