How to detect which .NET runtime is being used (MS vs. Mono)?

c# mono clr
Dirk Vollmar picture Dirk Vollmar · Apr 6, 2009 · Viewed 12.5k times · Source

I would like to know during execution of a program whether it is being executed using the Mono runtime or the Microsoft runtime.

I'm currently using the following code to determine whether I'm on a MS CLR:

static bool IsMicrosoftCLR()
{
    return RuntimeEnvironment.GetRuntimeDirectory().Contains("Microsoft");
}

However, this is somewhat dependent on the installation folder of the runtime and I'm not sure whether this will work on all installations.

Is there a better way to check for the current runtime?

Answer

Mystic picture Mystic · Apr 6, 2009

From the Mono Project's Guide to Porting Winforms Applications:

public static bool IsRunningOnMono ()
{
    return Type.GetType ("Mono.Runtime") != null;
}

I'm sure you'll have a lot more questions, so worth checking this guide and the mono-forums

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