 define small objects implicitly in expressions as needed, instead of declaring a new type and instantiating an object.
Access to the .NET Framework and any managed code assembly.
Access to native code through platform invoke.
F# also supports all the common imperative programming constructs, such as branching and looping constructs.
The Visual F# product also includes an F# library that has many useful functions and types. This includes APIs for collections such as lists, arrays, maps, sets, and sequences. The F# library also supports reflection, events, and formatted I/O.
In addition, the F# library includes support for asynchronous workflows to support parallel computations, and mechanisms for communicating among parallel workflows. For more information, see Asynchronous Workflows (F#), Control.Async Class (F#), and Control.MailboxProcessor<'Msg> Class (F#).
The main F# library is FSharp.Core.dll. Additional libraries are available in the F# PowerPack, which is available on the Microsoft F# Developer Center Web site.
Visual F# provides an interactive window that is integrated into the Visual Studio development environment. This window enables you to enter F# code and have it immediately compiled and executed. This enables you to easily prototype code constructs and test your code while you write it. The interactive window runs the F# interactive tool, fsi.exe, which you can also run from the command line. This feature allows F# to be used as a scripting language. For more information, see F# Interactive (fsi.exe) Reference.
F# is integrated with Visual Studio, and has support for the following:
IntelliSense. For more information, see Using IntelliSense.
Debugging. For more information, see Debugging in Visual Studio.
Deployment. To run F# programs on a computer, you must have the F# runtime components installed. These components are installed by the F# Redistributable Package.
For more information, see F# Development Environment Features.
Provides information about getting started with the current release of Visual F#.
A gateway to a wide variety of information about F#.
Provides information about using F# in the Integrated Development Environment (IDE), including project settings and IntelliSense.
Provides reference information about the F# language, including information about keywords, symbols, and operators.
Provides reference information about the F# core library, FSharp.Core.dll.
Provides information about the F# compiler, fsc.exe, including information about compiler options.
Provides information about F# Interactive, fsi.exe, including information about command-line options and diagnostic messages that are specific to F# Interactive.
Provides links to F# samples and walkthroughs.
Provides information and guidance on using F# in a variety of applications. This content is authored by Tomas Petricek and Jon Skeet and is provided by Manning Publications, Co.