Cross platform support

[regevbr]

Hi,

I moved to Ubuntu and I have to keep a windows vm just to use your great tool.
Can you please release a linux release as well?

[regevbr]

I managed to compile it using mono after a few hour of debugging.
When I try to connect it throws many exceptions due to some issues with compatibility in linux of the azure sdk.
Suggest fix in the web is to use https://github.com/ppatierno/azuresblite which is compatible.

[SeanFeldman]

Related to #284.

The new official ASB client would help here, but the project is not there yet.

[hcvdwerf]

Also for mac would be great!

[Burnett2k]

Hi Guys, this tool is really awesome and I wanted to also comment on how great it would be if we could get a mac supported version out there! I've been trying to avoid getting a windows VM for a long time, but I might have to just for this tool because it makes debugging so much faster!

[paolosalvatori]

Thanks @Burnett2k for the feedback, we are considering to migrate the tool to .NET Core, the problem is that the UI is built using Windows Forms that is currently not supported by .NET Core, and I have no idea if it will ever be in the future :)

[epomatti]

We use Ubuntu and Mint, and would be great to have this tool available cross-platform.

[SeanFeldman]

@epomatti I'll echo what Paolo has said. The tool was not designed to be a cross-platform tool. The effort to get it there cannot be undermined. Not to mention some major restructuring work that is already taking place.

Personally, I'd look to use an alternative for now while Azure Portal is working on adding some features and this project gets on the newer dependencies. Have you looked at the tools that can solve your problem today? Cerulean is one of those. And it might be even free. And if it's not, if you need to use ASB and operate on Linux, perhaps it's worth shelling out a few coins to get what you need for the job. An alternative would be to actively contribute to this OSS and help implement what's needed to make it x-plat.

PS: I might lose my collaborator status by suggesting Cerulean, but we need to keep things in perspective. If your job depends on a tool you should weigh the options and not tie all your hopes on a volunteer-driven OSS. Cheers.

[grahambunce]

@SeanFeldman Forgive me if i get my wires crossed here but I'm amazed that there isn't an official cross-platform Microsoft tool for supporting Service Bus, such like there is for SQL Server and Storage explorer. We simply cannot manage SB in a PROD environment without a tool like Service Bus Explorer (or commercial equiv).

I thought that @paolosalvatori did work for Microsoft at one point (I may be mistaken).

I'm sure the work to move SBE to x-plat is considerable, especially for OSS, but have Microsoft themselves not offered technical support to move this forward and bring the product up the x-plat capabilities of their other tooling?

[SeanFeldman]

While I do not represent Microsoft or the messaging team, I'm sure there's a good reason for it.

[ErikMogensen]

Besides Cerulean there is https://www.serverless360.com/ as an alternative for cross platform support.

[SeanFeldman]

There's another emerging kid on the block: VSCode plugin

[paolosalvatori]

Sorry for coming late to the discussion. Yes, I work in Microsoft, but I don't work in the Service Bus team. This tool was born as a sample years ago and grew over time to become a tool. At that time, Linux was not even supported by the Azure platform, and .NET Core was not available.
Now, I do understand and support your need for a multi-platform tool officially supported by Microsoft, mine is just an OSS tool maintained on a best effort basis by me and my collaborators. We are doing our best, but a full re-write of this tool would cost me an amazing amount of time that I can't afford now, sorry about that. Said that I'll report your request to the product group.

[SeanFeldman]

While not exactly what folks were asking here, the cross-platform tool for ASB is becoming more of the reality with Microsoft's new SBExplorer for the portal.

https://twitter.com/sfeldman/status/1262823820311715845?s=20

https://twitter.com/sfeldman/status/1262824887648837632?s=20

[paolosalvatori]

@SeanFeldman I think this a big step ahead in the right direction even if it does not provide all the features of the Service Bus Explorer ex. Thanks to @clemensv @axisc and all the Service Bus team for integrating the Service Bus Explorer in the portal :)

[SeanFeldman]

I suggest we close this issue. Any objections?

[grahambunce]

@SeanFeldman on what basis? It’s good that there is something in the azure portal, but it’s not on a par with SBE nor is the same approach taken by the azure storage explorer or azure data studio (both excellent xplat products that I use daily on MacOS).

I know this task is hard and unlikely to happen but relying on the portal approach just seems plain wrong IMO

[SeanFeldman]

@SeanFeldman on what basis?

This project is driven by volunteers. I have not seen anyone peeking up this task or giving a hand to @ErikMogensen. When it comes to feature requests, there are multiple people to back it up. When it comes to contributions, the number plunges. The status of this issue is a good indication.

it’s not on a par with SBE nor is the same approach taken by the azure storage explorer or azure data studio (both excellent xplat products that I use daily on MacOS).

I think you're missing an important point. That's exactly the route Microsoft is taking. Portal SBE can be packaged and distributed similarly to Storage Explorer. It's too early as the team is still assessing things, but that's the direction it looks like it will be taking.

This tool was not designed originally to be a cross-platform tool. It will require much more than just a client bump. It will also compete with the Portal SBE, which I think is not wise. Anyone who wants to use it on a platform other than Windows is better off with pushing Microsoft to add features to the Portal SBE in the long term.

I cannot help with that and will bow out. Keeping the issue for the sake of having the issue only, doesn't sound right to me. If there are volunteers that can step up and commit, that's a different conversation. If you and others feel strongly about keeping the issue, by all means. The intention to keep the issue combined with contributions to its implementation will benefit anyone who's looking for cross-platform support.

[grahambunce]

@SeanFeldman i guess the point about it being around for the sake of it, is fair enough.

SBE is excellent, but if MS are delivering an xplat alternative that doesn’t need the portal then SBE will naturally be replaced by the MS version

[paolosalvatori]

Hi @grahambunce I created SBE, initially as a sample, in 2012. I continued to develop the tool based on my ideas and customer requirements. In 2016 I moved the tool to GitHub to open it up to others' contributions and make is a real OSS tool. This tool is not officially supported by Microsoft, even if I'm a Microsoft employee. It comes without saying that the Service Bus sustained this effort. Now, writing this tool from scratch to be multi-platform like the Azure Storage Explorer would be a huge effort and I can't afford it anymore. SBE is OSS tool, you can use it or you can use the SBE integrated in the Azure portal if you use Linux. Easy :)

[SeanFeldman]

SBE is excellent, but if MS are delivering an xplat alternative that doesn’t need the portal then SBE will naturally be replaced by the MS version

@grahambunce, I don't know when or if it will happen, but it makes sense for Microsoft to continue developing the portal tool. It's just a preview at this moment and already covers what I'd imagine is 5--60% of the scenarios an average SBE user requires. Yes, it's not perfect and lacks many features, but it's the first release since ASB existed. I'm sure it will only get better with the time.

In regards to SBE being replaced by the Portal SBE - don't think @paolosalvatori will oppose much. At this point, I have a strong feeling he'd like this baby to leave the house and no longer be under his constant supervision and care. At the end of the day, tool progression matters more than anything else. Those that swear today by SBE won't have much difficulty to change their loyalty if there's a better tool. Competition is welcomed, right? And Paolo will always be associated with SBE. Portal or not 🙂

[paolosalvatori]

Thanks @SeanFeldman, nothing much to add here, your words reflect my spirit and my thinking. :) Closing this issue.

[SeanFeldman]

An issue that doesn't add cross-platform support but will help to bring SBE closer to that state: #527

[SeanFeldman]

AvaloniaUI could be another mature option, used by companies such as JetBrains.