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My ML of choice is F#, I came from OCaml because I wanted better tools, librairies and an improved syntax. The only place where I suffer from windows only libr

My ML of choice is F#, I came from OCaml because I wanted better tools, librairies and an improved syntax. The only place where I suffer from windows only librairies is UI and graphics in general (I don't do web developement so I cannot comment on that) otherwise developement on linux feels good (first via mono and now dotnet core). Without the heaviness of dotnet (and, in particular, its project files), it would be perfect.

raphinou 8y ago
As you have experience in both, are there Ocaml things you really miss in F#? How long are you developing in F# (and which type of apps if I may ask)?
- remify 8y ago
  FYI F# started as an OCaml implementation to .NET. It quickly evolved as an independent languages as it was easier to do, but a good part of it is straight up OCaml.
- nestorD 8y ago
  I have been using F# for data science, developing algorithms (where ML truly shines) and most of my scripting needs for 3 years now (it is not my main language as, these days, I need to instrument some C++). As remify said F# came from Ocaml : it lacks modules, GADT and other thing but you can easily translate most Ocaml to F#. For me the syntax was a net win. The thing I miss is the Graphics module of Ocaml's std. I used to build quick visualizations with it and I have not found a good F# equivalent that would run flawlessly on Linux (the relevant section of mono's std was very buggy the last time I tried using it).
  - hardlianotion 8y ago
    But now there is no need to rely on Mono, right? Now that Microsoft has released dot net for other OS.
    - nestorD 8y ago
      When the first version of dotnet core went out, parts of it such as system.drawing were just empty shells. Nowadays dotnet core is all you need (happily F# seems to be developed first and foremost by the community and not by Microsoft).
baby 8y ago
F# seems kind of not-friendly to the macOS environment. Looking at https://fsharp.org/use/mac/ https://fsharp.org/use/mac/ it looks like you have to install a ton of things to get started. What about F*? Now if I can get away from Ocaml's weird syntax, I think this is still a good deal.
- nestorD 8y ago
  I don't have a mac but it looks like incomplete documentation. Since Vs Code and dotnet core both works on Mac, you should be able to follow the linux instructions from these videos without changes : https://youtu.be/-uqbk0v7qxo?list=PLlzAi3ycg2x0TScJb7czq7-4LrQoyTB0I https://youtu.be/-uqbk0v7qxo?list=PLlzAi3ycg2x0TScJb7czq7-4L... F* is intented for proofs, probably not what you want if you are looking for a general programming language.

raphinou 8y ago

As you have experience in both, are there Ocaml things you really miss in F#? How long are you developing in F# (and which type of apps if I may ask)?

remify 8y ago
FYI F# started as an OCaml implementation to .NET. It quickly evolved as an independent languages as it was easier to do, but a good part of it is straight up OCaml.
nestorD 8y ago
I have been using F# for data science, developing algorithms (where ML truly shines) and most of my scripting needs for 3 years now (it is not my main language as, these days, I need to instrument some C++). As remify said F# came from Ocaml : it lacks modules, GADT and other thing but you can easily translate most Ocaml to F#. For me the syntax was a net win. The thing I miss is the Graphics module of Ocaml's std. I used to build quick visualizations with it and I have not found a good F# equivalent that would run flawlessly on Linux (the relevant section of mono's std was very buggy the last time I tried using it).
- hardlianotion 8y ago
  But now there is no need to rely on Mono, right? Now that Microsoft has released dot net for other OS.
  - nestorD 8y ago
    When the first version of dotnet core went out, parts of it such as system.drawing were just empty shells. Nowadays dotnet core is all you need (happily F# seems to be developed first and foremost by the community and not by Microsoft).

baby 8y ago

F# seems kind of not-friendly to the macOS environment. Looking at https://fsharp.org/use/mac/ https://fsharp.org/use/mac/ it looks like you have to install a ton of things to get started. What about F*? Now if I can get away from Ocaml's weird syntax, I think this is still a good deal.

nestorD 8y ago
I don't have a mac but it looks like incomplete documentation. Since Vs Code and dotnet core both works on Mac, you should be able to follow the linux instructions from these videos without changes : https://youtu.be/-uqbk0v7qxo?list=PLlzAi3ycg2x0TScJb7czq7-4LrQoyTB0I https://youtu.be/-uqbk0v7qxo?list=PLlzAi3ycg2x0TScJb7czq7-4L... F* is intented for proofs, probably not what you want if you are looking for a general programming language.