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+---
+language: F#
+author: Scott Wlaschin
+author_url: http://fsharpforfunandprofit.com/
+filename: learnfsharp.fs
+---
+
+F# is a general purpose functional/OO programming language. It's free and open source, and runs on Linux, Mac, Windows and more.
+
+It has a powerful type system that traps many errors at compile time, but it uses type inference so that it reads more like a dynamic language.
+
+The syntax of F# is different from C-style languages:
+
+* Curly braces are not used to delimit blocks of code. Instead, indentation is used (like Python).
+* Whitespace is used to separate parameters rather than commas.
+
+If you want to try out the code below, you can go to [tryfsharp.org](http://www.tryfsharp.org/Create) and paste it into an interactive REPL.
+
+```csharp
+
+// single line comments use a double slash
+(* multi line comments use (* . . . *) pair
+
+-end of multi line comment- *)
+
+// ================================================
+// Basic Syntax
+// ================================================
+
+// ------ "Variables" (but not really) ------
+// The "let" keyword defines an (immutable) value
+let myInt = 5
+let myFloat = 3.14
+let myString = "hello" //note that no types needed
+
+// ------ Lists ------
+let twoToFive = [2;3;4;5] // Square brackets create a list with
+ // semicolon delimiters.
+let oneToFive = 1 :: twoToFive // :: creates list with new 1st element
+// The result is [1;2;3;4;5]
+let zeroToFive = [0;1] @ twoToFive // @ concats two lists
+
+// IMPORTANT: commas are never used as delimiters, only semicolons!
+
+// ------ Functions ------
+// The "let" keyword also defines a named function.
+let square x = x * x // Note that no parens are used.
+square 3 // Now run the function. Again, no parens.
+
+let add x y = x + y // don't use add (x,y)! It means something
+ // completely different.
+add 2 3 // Now run the function.
+
+// to define a multiline function, just use indents. No semicolons needed.
+let evens list =
+ let isEven x = x%2 = 0 // Define "isEven" as a sub function
+ List.filter isEven list // List.filter is a library function
+ // with two parameters: a boolean function
+ // and a list to work on
+
+evens oneToFive // Now run the function
+
+// You can use parens to clarify precedence. In this example,
+// do "map" first, with two args, then do "sum" on the result.
+// Without the parens, "List.map" would be passed as an arg to List.sum
+let sumOfSquaresTo100 =
+ List.sum ( List.map square [1..100] )
+
+// You can pipe the output of one operation to the next using "|>"
+// Piping data around is very common in F#, similar to UNIX pipes.
+
+// Here is the same sumOfSquares function written using pipes
+let sumOfSquaresTo100piped =
+ [1..100] |> List.map square |> List.sum // "square" was defined earlier
+
+// you can define lambdas (anonymous functions) using the "fun" keyword
+let sumOfSquaresTo100withFun =
+ [1..100] |> List.map (fun x -> x*x) |> List.sum
+
+// In F# there is no "return" keyword. A function always
+// returns the value of the last expression used.
+
+// ------ Pattern Matching ------
+// Match..with.. is a supercharged case/switch statement.
+let simplePatternMatch =
+ let x = "a"
+ match x with
+ | "a" -> printfn "x is a"
+ | "b" -> printfn "x is b"
+ | _ -> printfn "x is something else" // underscore matches anything
+
+// F# doesn't allow nulls by default -- you must use an Option type
+// and then pattern match.
+// Some(..) and None are roughly analogous to Nullable wrappers
+let validValue = Some(99)
+let invalidValue = None
+
+// In this example, match..with matches the "Some" and the "None",
+// and also unpacks the value in the "Some" at the same time.
+let optionPatternMatch input =
+ match input with
+ | Some i -> printfn "input is an int=%d" i
+ | None -> printfn "input is missing"
+
+optionPatternMatch validValue
+optionPatternMatch invalidValue
+
+// ------ Printing ------
+// The printf/printfn functions are similar to the
+// Console.Write/WriteLine functions in C#.
+printfn "Printing an int %i, a float %f, a bool %b" 1 2.0 true
+printfn "A string %s, and something generic %A" "hello" [1;2;3;4]
+
+// There are also sprintf/sprintfn functions for formatting data
+// into a string, similar to String.Format in C#.
+
+// ================================================
+// More on functions
+// ================================================
+
+// F# is a true functional language -- functions are first
+// class entities and can be combined easy to make powerful
+// constructs
+
+// Modules are used to group functions together
+// Indentation is needed for each nested module.
+module FunctionExamples =
+
+ // define a simple adding function
+ let add x y = x + y
+
+ // basic usage of a function
+ let a = add 1 2
+ printfn "1+2 = %i" a
+
+ // partial application to "bake in" parameters
+ let add42 = add 42
+ let b = add42 1
+ printfn "42+1 = %i" b
+
+ // composition to combine functions
+ let add1 = add 1
+ let add2 = add 2
+ let add3 = add1 >> add2
+ let c = add3 7
+ printfn "3+7 = %i" c
+
+ // higher order functions
+ [1..10] |> List.map add3 |> printfn "new list is %A"
+
+ // lists of functions, and more
+ let add6 = [add1; add2; add3] |> List.reduce (>>)
+ let d = add6 7
+ printfn "1+2+3+7 = %i" d
+
+// ================================================
+// Lists and collection
+// ================================================
+
+// There are three types of ordered collection:
+// * Lists are most basic immutable collection.
+// * Arrays are mutable and more efficient when needed.
+// * Sequences are lazy and infinite (e.g. an enumerator).
+//
+// Other collections include immutable maps and sets
+// plus all the standard .NET collections
+
+module ListExamples =
+
+ // lists use square brackets
+ let list1 = ["a";"b"]
+ let list2 = "c" :: list1 // :: is prepending
+ let list3 = list1 @ list2 // @ is concat
+
+ // list comprehensions (aka generators)
+ let squares = [for i in 1..10 do yield i*i]
+
+ // prime number generator
+ let rec sieve = function
+ | (p::xs) -> p :: sieve [ for x in xs do if x % p > 0 then yield x ]
+ | [] -> []
+ let primes = sieve [2..50]
+ printfn "%A" primes
+
+ // pattern matching for lists
+ let listMatcher aList =
+ match aList with
+ | [] -> printfn "the list is empty"
+ | [first] -> printfn "the list has one element %A " first
+ | [first; second] -> printfn "list is %A and %A" first second
+ | _ -> printfn "the list has more than two elements"
+
+ listMatcher [1;2;3;4]
+ listMatcher [1;2]
+ listMatcher [1]
+ listMatcher []
+
+ // recursion using lists
+ let rec sum aList =
+ match aList with
+ | [] -> 0
+ | x::xs -> x + sum xs
+ sum [1..10]
+
+ // -----------------------------------------
+ // Standard library functions
+ // -----------------------------------------
+
+ // map
+ let add3 x = x + 3
+ [1..10] |> List.map add3
+
+ // filter
+ let even x = x % 2 = 0
+ [1..10] |> List.filter even
+
+ // many more -- see documentation
+
+module ArrayExamples =
+
+ // arrays use square brackets with bar
+ let array1 = [| "a";"b" |]
+ let first = array1.[0] // indexed access using dot
+
+ // pattern matching for arrays is same as for lists
+ let arrayMatcher aList =
+ match aList with
+ | [| |] -> printfn "the array is empty"
+ | [| first |] -> printfn "the array has one element %A " first
+ | [| first; second |] -> printfn "array is %A and %A" first second
+ | _ -> printfn "the array has more than two elements"
+
+ arrayMatcher [| 1;2;3;4 |]
+
+ // Standard library functions just as for List
+
+ [| 1..10 |]
+ |> Array.map (fun i -> i+3)
+ |> Array.filter (fun i -> i%2 = 0)
+ |> Array.iter (printfn "value is %i. ")
+
+
+module SequenceExamples =
+
+ // sequences use curly braces
+ let seq1 = seq { yield "a"; yield "b" }
+
+ // sequences can use yield and
+ // can contain subsequences
+ let strange = seq {
+ // "yield! adds one element
+ yield 1; yield 2;
+
+ // "yield!" adds a whole subsequence
+ yield! [5..10]
+ yield! seq {
+ for i in 1..10 do
+ if i%2 = 0 then yield i }}
+ // test
+ strange |> Seq.toList
+
+
+ // Sequences can be created using "unfold"
+ // Here's the fibonacci series
+ let fib = Seq.unfold (fun (fst,snd) ->
+ Some(fst + snd, (snd, fst + snd))) (0,1)
+
+ // test
+ let fib10 = fib |> Seq.take 10 |> Seq.toList
+ printf "first 10 fibs are %A" fib10
+
+
+// ================================================
+// Data Types
+// ================================================
+
+module DataTypeExamples =
+
+ // All data is immutable by default
+
+ // Tuples are quick 'n easy anonymous types
+ // -- Use a comma to create a tuple
+ let twoTuple = 1,2
+ let threeTuple = "a",2,true
+
+ // Pattern match to unpack
+ let x,y = twoTuple //sets x=1 y=2
+
+ // ------------------------------------
+ // Record types have named fields
+ // ------------------------------------
+
+ // Use "type" with curly braces to define a record type
+ type Person = {First:string; Last:string}
+
+ // Use "let" with curly braces to create a record
+ let person1 = {First="John"; Last="Doe"}
+
+ // Pattern match to unpack
+ let {First=first} = person1 //sets first="john"
+
+ // ------------------------------------
+ // Union types (aka variants) have a set of choices
+ // Only case can be valid at a time.
+ // ------------------------------------
+
+ // Use "type" with bar/pipe to define a union type
+ type Temp =
+ | DegreesC of float
+ | DegreesF of float
+
+ // Use one of the cases to create one
+ let temp1 = DegreesF 98.6
+ let temp2 = DegreesC 37.0
+
+ // Pattern match on all cases to unpack
+ let printTemp = function
+ | DegreesC t -> printfn "%f degC" t
+ | DegreesF t -> printfn "%f degF" t
+
+ printTemp temp1
+ printTemp temp2
+
+ // ------------------------------------
+ // Recursive types
+ // ------------------------------------
+
+ // Types can be combined recursively in complex ways
+ // without having to create subclasses
+ type Employee =
+ | Worker of Person
+ | Manager of Employee list
+
+ let jdoe = {First="John";Last="Doe"}
+ let worker = Worker jdoe
+
+ // ------------------------------------
+ // Modelling with types
+ // ------------------------------------
+
+ // Union types are great for modelling state without using flags
+ type EmailAddress =
+ | ValidEmailAddress of string
+ | InvalidEmailAddress of string
+
+ let trySendEmail email =
+ match email with // use pattern matching
+ | ValidEmailAddress address -> () // send
+ | InvalidEmailAddress address -> () // dont send
+
+ // The combination of union types and record types together
+ // provide a great foundation for domain driven design.
+ // You can create hundreds of little types that accurately
+ // reflect the domain.
+
+ type CartItem = { ProductCode: string; Qty: int }
+ type Payment = Payment of float
+ type ActiveCartData = { UnpaidItems: CartItem list }
+ type PaidCartData = { PaidItems: CartItem list; Payment: Payment}
+
+ type ShoppingCart =
+ | EmptyCart // no data
+ | ActiveCart of ActiveCartData
+ | PaidCart of PaidCartData
+
+ // ------------------------------------
+ // Built in behavior for types
+ // ------------------------------------
+
+ // Core types have useful "out-of-the-box" behavior, no coding needed.
+ // * Immutability
+ // * Pretty printing when debugging
+ // * Equality and comparison
+ // * Serialization
+
+ // Pretty printing using %A
+ printfn "twoTuple=%A,\nPerson=%A,\nTemp=%A,\nEmployee=%A"
+ twoTuple person1 temp1 worker
+
+ // Equality and comparison built in.
+ // Here's an example with cards.
+ type Suit = Club | Diamond | Spade | Heart
+ type Rank = Two | Three | Four | Five | Six | Seven | Eight
+ | Nine | Ten | Jack | Queen | King | Ace
+
+ let hand = [ Club,Ace; Heart,Three; Heart,Ace;
+ Spade,Jack; Diamond,Two; Diamond,Ace ]
+
+ // sorting
+ List.sort hand |> printfn "sorted hand is (low to high) %A"
+ List.max hand |> printfn "high card is %A"
+ List.min hand |> printfn "low card is %A"
+
+
+// ================================================
+// Active patterns
+// ================================================
+
+module ActivePatternExamples =
+
+ // F# has a special type of pattern matching called "active patterns"
+ // where the pattern can be parsed or detected dynamically.
+
+ // "banana clips" are the syntax for active patterns
+
+ // for example, define an "active" pattern to match character types...
+ let (|Digit|Letter|Whitespace|Other|) ch =
+ if System.Char.IsDigit(ch) then Digit
+ else if System.Char.IsLetter(ch) then Letter
+ else if System.Char.IsWhiteSpace(ch) then Whitespace
+ else Other
+
+ // ... and then use it to make parsing logic much clearer
+ let printChar ch =
+ match ch with
+ | Digit -> printfn "%c is a Digit" ch
+ | Letter -> printfn "%c is a Letter" ch
+ | Whitespace -> printfn "%c is a Whitespace" ch
+ | _ -> printfn "%c is something else" ch
+
+ // print a list
+ ['a';'b';'1';' ';'-';'c'] |> List.iter printChar
+
+ // -----------------------------------
+ // FizzBuzz using active patterns
+ // -----------------------------------
+
+ // You can create partial matching patterns as well
+ // Just use undercore in the defintion, and return Some if matched.
+ let (|MultOf3|_|) i = if i % 3 = 0 then Some MultOf3 else None
+ let (|MultOf5|_|) i = if i % 5 = 0 then Some MultOf5 else None
+
+ // the main function
+ let fizzBuzz i =
+ match i with
+ | MultOf3 & MultOf5 -> printf "FizzBuzz, "
+ | MultOf3 -> printf "Fizz, "
+ | MultOf5 -> printf "Buzz, "
+ | _ -> printf "%i, " i
+
+ // test
+ [1..20] |> List.iter fizzBuzz
+
+// ================================================
+// Conciseness
+// ================================================
+
+module AlgorithmExamples =
+
+ // F# has a high signal/noise ratio, so code reads
+ // almost like the actual algorithm
+
+ // ------ Example: define sumOfSquares function ------
+ let sumOfSquares n =
+ [1..n] // 1) take all the numbers from 1 to n
+ |> List.map square // 2) square each one
+ |> List.sum // 3) sum the results
+
+ // test
+ sumOfSquares 100 |> printfn "Sum of squares = %A"
+
+ // ------ Example: define a sort function ------
+ let rec sort list =
+ match list with
+ // If the list is empty
+ | [] ->
+ [] // return an empty list
+ // If the list is not empty
+ | firstElem::otherElements -> // take the first element
+ let smallerElements = // extract the smaller elements
+ otherElements // from the remaining ones
+ |> List.filter (fun e -> e < firstElem)
+ |> sort // and sort them
+ let largerElements = // extract the larger ones
+ otherElements // from the remaining ones
+ |> List.filter (fun e -> e >= firstElem)
+ |> sort // and sort them
+ // Combine the 3 parts into a new list and return it
+ List.concat [smallerElements; [firstElem]; largerElements]
+
+ // test
+ sort [1;5;23;18;9;1;3] |> printfn "Sorted = %A"
+
+// ================================================
+// Asynchronous Code
+// ================================================
+
+module AsyncExample =
+
+ // F# has built-in features to help with async code
+ // without encountering the "pyramid of doom"
+ //
+ // The following example downloads a set of web pages in parallel.
+
+ open System.Net
+ open System
+ open System.IO
+ open Microsoft.FSharp.Control.CommonExtensions
+
+ // Fetch the contents of a URL asynchronously
+ let fetchUrlAsync url =
+ async { // "async" keyword and curly braces
+ // creates an "async" object
+ let req = WebRequest.Create(Uri(url))
+ use! resp = req.AsyncGetResponse()
+ // use! is async assignment
+ use stream = resp.GetResponseStream()
+ // "use" triggers automatic close()
+ // on resource at end of scope
+ use reader = new IO.StreamReader(stream)
+ let html = reader.ReadToEnd()
+ printfn "finished downloading %s" url
+ }
+
+ // a list of sites to fetch
+ let sites = ["http://www.bing.com";
+ "http://www.google.com";
+ "http://www.microsoft.com";
+ "http://www.amazon.com";
+ "http://www.yahoo.com"]
+
+ // do it
+ sites
+ |> List.map fetchUrlAsync // make a list of async tasks
+ |> Async.Parallel // set up the tasks to run in parallel
+ |> Async.RunSynchronously // start them off
+
+// ================================================
+// .NET compatability
+// ================================================
+
+module NetCompatibilityExamples =
+
+ // F# can do almost everything C# can do, and it integrates
+ // seamlessly with .NET or Mono libraries.
+
+ // ------- work with existing library functions -------
+
+ let (i1success,i1) = System.Int32.TryParse("123");
+ if i1success then printfn "parsed as %i" i1 else printfn "parse failed"
+
+ // ------- Implement interfaces on the fly! -------
+
+ // create a new object that implements IDisposable
+ let makeResource name =
+ { new System.IDisposable
+ with member this.Dispose() = printfn "%s disposed" name }
+
+ let useAndDisposeResources =
+ use r1 = makeResource "first resource"
+ printfn "using first resource"
+ for i in [1..3] do
+ let resourceName = sprintf "\tinner resource %d" i
+ use temp = makeResource resourceName
+ printfn "\tdo something with %s" resourceName
+ use r2 = makeResource "second resource"
+ printfn "using second resource"
+ printfn "done."
+
+ // ------- Object oriented code -------
+
+ // F# is also a fully fledged OO language.
+ // It supports classes, inheritance, virtual methods, etc.
+
+ // interface with generic type
+ type IEnumerator<'a> =
+ abstract member Current : 'a
+ abstract MoveNext : unit -> bool
+
+ // abstract base class with virtual methods
+ [<AbstractClass>]
+ type Shape() =
+ //readonly properties
+ abstract member Width : int with get
+ abstract member Height : int with get
+ //non-virtual method
+ member this.BoundingArea = this.Height * this.Width
+ //virtual method with base implementation
+ abstract member Print : unit -> unit
+ default this.Print () = printfn "I'm a shape"
+
+ // concrete class that inherits from base class and overrides
+ type Rectangle(x:int, y:int) =
+ inherit Shape()
+ override this.Width = x
+ override this.Height = y
+ override this.Print () = printfn "I'm a Rectangle"
+
+ //test
+ let r = Rectangle(2,3)
+ printfn "The width is %i" r.Width
+ printfn "The area is %i" r.BoundingArea
+ r.Print()
+
+ // ------- extension methods -------
+
+ //Just as in C#, F# can extend existing classes with extension methods.
+ type System.String with
+ member this.StartsWithA = this.StartsWith "A"
+
+ //test
+ let s = "Alice"
+ printfn "'%s' starts with an 'A' = %A" s s.StartsWithA
+
+ // ------- events -------
+
+ type MyButton() =
+ let clickEvent = new Event<_>()
+
+ [<CLIEvent>]
+ member this.OnClick = clickEvent.Publish
+
+ member this.TestEvent(arg) =
+ clickEvent.Trigger(this, arg)
+
+ // test
+ let myButton = new MyButton()
+ myButton.OnClick.Add(fun (sender, arg) ->
+ printfn "Click event with arg=%O" arg)
+
+ myButton.TestEvent("Hello World!")
+
+```
+
+## More Information
+
+For more demonstrations of F#, go to the [Try F#](http://www.tryfsharp.org/Learn) site, or my [why use F#](http://fsharpforfunandprofit.com/why-use-fsharp/) series.
+
+Read more about F# at [fsharp.org](http://fsharp.org/).
+
+
+
+