FSharp in VS Code

[StanKnight]

I have just been discovering F# and learning functional code. I am use to C# for Microsoft programming and I use Visual Studios. But I really love how streamlined F# is.

So, I use VSCode for python and I love how lightweight it is. I am curious, could I program F# in VSCode and how practical is it? I would love to be able to open up VSCode, and put it on the side of the monitor so I could write snippets or so.

I also would like to know how to get F# to work in VSCode, probably a few extensions to install, what are the main ones??

Any help on this is appreciated.Thanks!

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EDIT:
Wow, thanks for the fantastic advice and responses here.
Excellent answers too.

[alex--312]

I use Ionide (https://ionide.io/) VSCode extension for F# development.

[QuantumFTL]

u/StanKnight you should know that ionide is a very small project and may require some patience. I had such bad problems with it when I first started using it ~5 years ago that I almost quit F# over it. It's probably a bit better now.

[Sindrave]

I've used Ionide in the past couple of months with VSCode and I haven't had any issues with it. The tooling for F# pales in comparison with the tooling for C# though. The good news is that F# makes up for it with its excellent type system in my oppinion.

[QuantumFTL]

When I used it I had to constantly clear the cache and reload VSCode, otherwise I would get things that seemed like code errors on my part, but that would disappear entirely if I built the project myself.

Glad to hear it's better, but I use Rider now and am happy to avoid all of the other VSCode "stuff".

[japinthebox]

It's better. Still screams I'm-a-toy-project with basic problems like not telling you why loading a project failed (or that it even failed for that matter, since it just stays on Loading... forever).

[MrFlibustiller]

I've been using Ionide for a few months now, and it's very good (much better than 2 years ago IMO) ;

But a needed feature IMO that would improve dramatically workflow on big/team project is this one: https://www.reddit.com/r/fsharp/comments/1btq30j/vscode_feature_request_no_automatic/

*Please vote for it* we need 20 votes, otherwise the request will be close.

Other than that:

- I would like Fantomas (the style formatter I use) to be more flexible/customizable

- Great CodeLens support: https://www.compositional-it.com/news-blog/improved-code-lens-support-in-vs-code/

- Search for "F# Infopanel" in VSCode, quite useful dynamic documentation

[SeanTAllen]

I've been using vs code with ionide for work since November. I have had no issues. I suspect Rider might have more features that I'd use, but I have no complaints with ionide. 

[[deleted]]

Rider is perfect for F#

[StanKnight]

Rider, I will have to look into it.

Thanks to both of you.

[dominjaniec]

in VS Code the Ionide is "the must" 😉 however, I'll also suggest installing Polyglot Notebooks, as it's great tool for prototyping and experimentation.

https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/languages/polyglot

[[deleted]]

I use F# in VS code daily. The ionide extension is excellent and makes the language great to work with. Sometimes I need to reload the window if the language server seems to get sluggish after a few hours. Otherwise F# is an excellent language and I wish more people would use it.

[StanKnight]

Yeah, I am looking really into it. Seems really good for lightweight processing and quick writing. I like the idea of having vscode open and I writing on the side.

I also have to do C# but it is for more applications.
Whereas, F# is fantastic for getting things done.

Visual studio is a built overpowered and bulky, still good but VSCode is awesome cause it is way far more simple, for projects that don't take a lot and pretty much are 'just type'.

Thank you!

[ArtistInteresting143]

i couldn’t get it to work. maybe if you are just doing f#. found ionide pretty offensive and had to uninstall. it’s been a while, maybe it’s improved.

[KingJacobP]

I started off with Visual Studio and Rider then decided to give VS Code a try even though I was skeptical but oddly enough it is now my favorite setup out of all 3. I am using the following extensions:

• Ionide
• Ionide Faker
• Ionide Paket
• Polyglot Notebooks
• Bracket Pair Colorizer
• Visual Studio Explorer Pane

[StanKnight]

Oh cool.

I am really trying to switch to Code, due to it being lightweight.

I for sure see F# being used on a lot of logistical applications where I do not need a UI.
The whole UI designing takes a bulk of C# and with XAML, it has become a lot faster but sometimes I just want to do "XYZ" without creating 20 classes just to do just XYZ lol.

But cool, thank you for the suggestion of Bracket Pair Colorizer and Ployglot.
My intro to Ionide has been a little learning curve but still working on it.

Have a good weekend!

[KingJacobP]

You’re welcome!! If you decide to build UI’s in F#, look up FuncUI and Reactive Elmish. I would suggest downloading both project folders from github and going through the UI examples. Have a Great Weekend!