F# Seq Module

Many of the features that make F# so powerful, are the modules that make up the FSLib library. One of my favorites is the Seq module which can be found in Microsoft.FSharp.Collections namespace.

This simple example demonstrates how to use the "sum" function of the Seq module. In this example, four integers are added together. The result is then squared.

Note: I have chosen to write these sample tests in C# to help emphasis the interoperability of the languages. These tests could have just as easily been written in F#. For examples of this, check out the book Expert F#.

Test:

[TestMethod]
public void CanCalculateSeqExample()
{
List<int> numbersToCalculate = new List<int>();
numbersToCalculate.Add(1);
numbersToCalculate.Add(2);
numbersToCalculate.Add(3);
numbersToCalculate.Add(4);
int result = FSharpSample.CalculateSeqExample(numbersToCalculate);

Assert.AreEqual(result, 100);
}


.fs File:

#light
let CalculateNumberSquared x = x*x

let CalculateSeqExample args =
Seq.sum args |> CalculateNumberSquared


.fsi File:

#light
val CalculateNumberSquared: int -> int

val CalculateSeqExample: seq -> int


Explanation:

While this example is very simple, it provides a brief view into the power that some of these modules provides. This example also shows how functions can be chained together. The astute observer will have noticed the "|>" operator in the CalculateSeqExample function. This operator is known as the pipe-forward or forward operator. It allows the result of the preceding function to be forwarded on to the next function in the chain.