Which programming language(s) does Windows Phone 7 (WP7) support?

Question

As I recall, WP7 supports C# but does not support any of the .Net dynamic languages (Ruby or Python). Are any other programming languages besides C# supported? Could an app be developed using Boo?

Kezer

Regarding VB, the official asnwer that I can now give as an MSFTie is "coming in a near future update". – Avellaneda

Answer 1

Officially, only C# is supported so far. Unofficially, any language that can compile to a verifiable managed assembly (the verifiability requirement applies to all dependencies, too!) is good - so you should be able to use e.g. C++/CLI, F#, Delphi Prism...

Avellaneda

Actually, not really - you cannot use C++/CLI due to the dependency restrictions and targeted platforms. – Luciana

C++/CLI does not have any dependencies if used in /clr:safe mode (but then, of course, you don't get the full C++ language, nor the runtime library). As well, it outputs pure IL in that mode. So it should work. – Avellaneda

This is a comprehensive and accurate answer to the OP. Some links to known demonstrations ie vb, f#, etc wouldn't go astray. blogs.msdn.com/b/dsyme/archive/2010/08/20/… and justinangel.net/WindowsPhone7VBnetAndFSharp – Overtop

Answer 2

Currently, officially supported is C#. In the medium term (although no time frame officially announced) will be full support for VB.Net & F#. In the longer term will be official support for dynamic languages (IronRuby & IronPython) - although expect a restriction in what you can do with these languages due to marketplace restrictions.

Update:
The CTP of the Visual Basic tools are now available from http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=a808a69d-6119-47b7-b858-262be5c49915

Schweiz

Answer 3

F# is supported on the phone. The templates are not baked into Visual Studio yet but are available from this blog entry by Don Syme

• http://blogs.msdn.com/b/dsyme/archive/2010/08/20/f-windows-phone-7-silverlight-templates-now-on-visual-studio-gallery.aspx?wa=wsignin1.0

Connection

Answer 4

If you can compile it down to a .NET CF assembly, you could probably hack it to work - there's nothing explicitly stopping other languages from being used.

Fendley

Answer 5

IronRuby http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/ff960707.aspx

Harbinger

I think though, languages that require the DLR will not be "verifiable" until a later time. – Kezer

IronRuby and DLR are horribly outdated, deprecated, unsigned, and incompatible with Windows Phone 7 Visual Studio Express 2012. :( – Springs