Learn F# in x minutes - intro

An attempt at a very terse F# learning list

1. Remember: Before you code

1. Imutability by default
2. Functions everywhere (passed round like values)
3. Type Inference (annotations usually aren't required)
4. Indentation is important (not { } for blocks of code)
5. Whitespace to seperate arguments (not commas)

2. Basics

• [ ] Primitive types (remember: still .NET)
• [ ] Functions
• [ ] Tuples
• [ ] Pipelines
• [ ] Composition
• [ ] F# Collection types
• [ ] Record types
• [ ] Discriminated Union types
• [ ] Pattern matching
• [ ] Recursive functions
• [ ] Option types
• [ ] Classes & Interfaces (OOP still exists)
• [ ] Using Computation Expressions (async, result, etc made even easier)

That should cover enough to build apps & have a play. Go out there and build awesome stuff! :) Much more to explore when you need it / feel comfortable.

3. Learn

Online REPLs

• fable.io click samples > tour of F#
• dotnetfiddle

Interactive learning

• Offline F# Koans
• Online with a MS account (free) - notebooks

Learning Resources

• F# Syntax in 60 seconds
• Learning F#
• Tour of F# - Official MS FSharp docs
• Learnxinyminutes
• F# Cheatsheet

4. Setup locally

1. .NET Core SDK
2. One of these or your favourite editor with F# support
   • Visual Studio
   • VScode + ionide + (vscode-fsharp-refactor optional shameless plug)
   • JetBrains Rider
   • Local FSI REPL use dotnet fsi (with the latest .NET core)

License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License. For more information see the full license details

Originally for Manchester F# User Group

• Manchester-F-User-Group
• @mancfug

Any suggestions / improvements welcome.