F# CheatSheet Updated

The F# CheatSheet now inlcudes Async Computations and Active Patterns.  Any further suggestions or comments are welcome.

Available at : http://www.a6systems.com/fsharpcheatsheet.pdf

3D Visualization of U.S. Presidential Polls in F#

The US presidential race has been really exciting lately – and I thought it might be an opportunity for me to use some of the visualization work I have been doing to enhance my understanding of what is happening on a state by state basis as time passes.  The result is a lot of fun – and I hope you will enjoy viewing it.  I screencasted a walkthrough of the work, and posted it to youtube.  You can get it from the A6 Visualizations page.  The data was made available by electoral-vote.com.

The 3D Sparkline is what I had the most fun developing.   While the 3rd dimension doesn’t add information to the sparkline itself – it does allow us to assocate the sparkline to a location in 3D space which clarifies polling relationships.

A screenshot of the visualization

F# Cheat Sheet

A6 Systems has posted an F# Cheat Sheet for those who are using or learning F# and need something easily accessible to remind them of the syntax. You can print this sheet out in landscape mode and keep it around your desk – or pull up the pdf (available at http://a6systems.com/resources.html) when you need a quick reminder.

MSDN Async Article Online

The MSDN F# Async article is now online (thanks to Don Syme and Luke Hoban for review and comments).

F# Quickstart

An increasing number of people are asking me about F# these days. They want to know how to understand the paradigm shift, how to add value with it, how to integrate with other .NET languages and in essence how to use it in the real world. To help answer this question I am launching an F# Quickstart course with Roger Castillo to assist developers who are completely new to functional languages and have never experienced the fun of working with them. We are expecting to schedule the first course in about 6 weeks.

I have been using functional languages for several years, and have never been so optimistic about the value they will bring to every day software developers. I will really enjoy sharing this experience with other people, and look forward to hearing from anyone who is interested.

The F# CTP is Available

You can read all about it at the new MSDN F# Developer center:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-gb/fsharp/default.aspx

Another F# Job

Ideal Innovations has just posted a position in which F# is a qualifying language.

From the site:

Software Developer

This position is based in Austin, Texas a division comprised of software developers and specialists in artificial intelligence, biometrics, and range of other advanced technologies who build cutting edge software deployed to some of the most challenging environments in the world. Our small group works in a very flexible environment; flex-time and telecommuting are available depending on project needs. Our teams are dynamically formed to meet project demands and we value a sense of ownership and responsibility to the end-user. Communication skills are paramount.

We are looking for a .NET developer with experience in Visual Studio 2005/2008 to join our team. Must have experience in one or more of the following: C#, F#, C++ or Java. Must have experience in Windows forms-based and web-based applications. Must have experience with database applications.

F# on Hansel Minutes

Scott Hanselman interviewed Dustin Campbell who gives a compelling description of F# and functional programming

http://perseus.franklins.net/hanselminutes_0096.mp3

More F# Posts

Don Syme recently mentioned on his blog Harry Pierson’s [Microsoft Enterprise Application Services] short series about F#.  Some good reading on the strengths and not-so strengths of F#.

F# with MSBuild Task

Foundations Author Robert Pickering has posted a method for using F# with MSBuild. 
Read all about it:

http://strangelights.com/blog/archive/2007/08/27/1593.aspx