Designing F# Libraries

Abstract

This book deals with F#, a language situated in the context of .NET-based software construction and engineering. As an expert F# programmer, you need more than knowledge of the F# language; you also need to use a range of software-engineering tools and methodologies wisely to build software that is truly valuable for the situation for which it’s deployed. The previous chapter touched on some important tools. This final chapter looks at some of the methodological issues related to F# library design, including:

• Designing vanilla .NET libraries that minimize the use of F#-specific constructs, according to existing .NET design conventions

• Elements of functional programming design methodology, which offers important and deep insights into programming, but doesn’t address several important aspects of the library or component design problems

• Specific suggestions for designing .NET and F# libraries, including naming conventions, how to design types and modules, and guidelines for using exceptions