F# - Combining the efficiency, scripting, strong typing and productivity of ML with the stability, libraries, cross-language working and tools of .NET.

From the F# Site at http://research.microsoft.com/fsharp/fsharp.aspx

F# is a programming language that provides the much sought-after combination of type safety, performance and scripting, with all the advantages of running on a high-quality, well-supported modern runtime system. F# gives you a combination of

• interactive scripting like Python,
• the foundations for an interactive data visualization environment like MATLAB,
• the strong type inference and safety of ML,
• a cross-compiling compatible core shared with the popular OCaml language,
• a performance profile like that of C#,
• easy access to the entire range of powerful .NET libraries and database tools,
• a foundational simplicity with similar roots to Scheme,
• the option of a top-rate Visual Studio integration,
• the experience of a first-class team of language researchers with a track record of delivering high-quality implementations,
• the speed of native code execution on the concurrent, portable, and distributed .NET Framework.

The only language to provide a combination like this is F# (pronounced FSharp) - a scripted/functional/imperative/object-oriented programming language that is a fantastic basis for many practical scientific, engineering and web-based programming tasks. 

F# is a pragmatically-oriented variant of ML that shares a core language with OCaml. F# programs run on top of the .NET Framework. Unlike other scripting languages it executes at or near the speed of C# and C++, making use of the performance that comes through strong typing. Unlike many statically-typed languages it also supports many dynamic language techniques, such as property discovery and reflection where needed. F# includes extensions for working across languages and for object-oriented programming, and it works seamlessly with other .NET programming languages and tools.

For further information, read about F# in more detail, download the F# distribution, read the getting started pages (a guide to installation and running your first program), go to the F# Manual, and learn about the growing F# Community. A short FAQ is also included on this site.

Some Starting points

• About F# and comparison with OCaml, talks, performance and the FAQ.
• Getting started is a guide to installation and running your first program.
• The F# Downloads page contains release and download information for the Microsoft Research implementation of F#.
• The F# Manual focuses on F#-specific features.
• The F# Community page lists key F# sites and projects.

A good blog is Don Syme at http://blogs.msdn.com/dsyme/default.aspx and hubFS at http://cs.hubfs.net/.

And here is a good blog comparing C# to F# named Functional Programming with C#/F#  

Anyway what the heck I'll give it a shot. I am always up to trying something new. I will blog again once I have a better concept of the language.

Dave Cooper

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