IronPython on Xamarin

Question

I'm having difficulty getting IronPython running in a Xamarin.Android app. Xamarin states they have limited DLR support.

I installed the latest version of Iron Python on my PC. In my Xamarin.Android project in Xamarin Studio, I added references to <IPY Install Dir>\Platforms\Android*.dll.

When I compile, I get...

    C:\Program Files (x86)\MSBuild\Xamarin\Android\Xamarin.Android.Common.targets(2,2): Error: Exception while loading assemblies: System.IO.FileNotFoundException: Could not load assembly 'Microsoft.Scripting, Version=1.1.0.20, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=7f709c5b713576e1'. Perhaps it doesn't exist in the Mono for Android profile?

File name: 'Microsoft.Scripting.dll'

   at Monodroid.Tuner.MonoDroidResolver.Resolve(AssemblyNameReference reference, ReaderParameters parameters)

   at Xamarin.Android.Tasks.ResolveAssemblies.AddAssemblyReferences(List`1 assemblies, AssemblyDefinition assembly)

   at Xamarin.Android.Tasks.ResolveAssemblies.Execute() (IPYScripter)

If Xamarin.Android has Iron Python support, how do I go about implementing it? The goal for my app is for the user to be able to create and run IPY scripts.

Scan

Assemblies built against Mono for Android are not compatible with Xamarin.Android because of changes to assembly strong names: forums.xamarin.com/discussion/1476/… – Schoolbook

On top of that, IronPython's Android support is very experimental. It needs quite a bit of work to be really useful. – Fourposter

@Schoolbook Okay, so that implies that I should be able to build IronPython against the Xamarin.Android binaries, right? I tried that, but I've never really built such a complex project before. Any tips/directions for doing that? – Scan

@JeffHardy Can you clarify further what you mean? It appears Xamarin.Android has pretty good DLR support. So therefore IPY shouldn't be too hard I would think. – Scan

It compiles, and you can run a very simple app with it, but beyond that I haven't tested. It isn't so much the DLR support as it is everything else. If you want more detailed help, ask on the IronPython mailing list - these text boxes are too small. :) – Fourposter

Answer 1

Assemblies built against Mono for Android are not compatible with Xamarin.Android because of changes to assembly strong names:

https://forums.xamarin.com/discussion/1476/

On top of that, IronPython's Android support is very experimental. It needs quite a bit of work to be really useful. It compiles, and you can run a very simple app with it, but beyond that I haven't tested. It isn't so much the DLR support as it is everything else. If you want more detailed help, ask on the IronPython mailing list - these text boxes are too small. :)

First paragraph from : Cheesebaron

Second paragraph from : Jeff Hardy

Citron