How to compile an F # project without buying Visual Studio

Question

I found this very cool project written in F #: https://github.com/fholm/IronJS

OSS is very nice, but I need a build. I would compile it myself, but there seems to be no free IDE to open an F # project (.fsproj). I do not have Visual Studio and there is no express version for F #.

I found this site http://tomasp.net/blog/fsharp-in-monodevelop.aspx , but it seems cross-platform does not include Windows.

This Monodevelop add-in does not work: http://functional-variations.net/addin/

Has anyone already successfully used F # on Windows without Visual Studio?

Answer 1

You can disable the VS2010 shell from here http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=8E5AA7B6-8436-43F0-B778-00C3BCA733D3&displaylang=en

Then install the F # compiler, etc. http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=effc5bc4-c3df-4172-ad1c-bc62935861c5 .

Then you will have full IDE support for F # with intellisense, projects, etc. Not worth a dime and works like a charm!

GJ

Answer 2

Take a look at SharpDevelop - it has native F # support. Only the F # compiler is required.

Answer 3

You can download the standalone version of F # (to get the compiler) from here . It looks like it also integrates with Visual Studio Shell, which can be downloaded separately (follow the link on the download page). But I must confess that I have never tried this ...

Answer 4

Download here

This version of CTP includes F # compiler and tools, as well as additional Visual Studio integration for F #.

Meaning, the package includes the F # compiler, you do not need Visual Studio integration to compile the project.

Answer 5

If you are a college student, you can get the professional version of VS 2010 through DreamSpark for free.

VS 2010 Pro. has full support for F #.