Thursday, April 10, 2014

TypeScript in First-Class F# Web Projects

I was recently asked about how best to use TypeScript within a pure F# web project. Currently, there are two steps that are needed to make this happen. 

1. Add the TypeScript item template by downloading and installing the latest version of the F# Web Item Templates extension from http://visualstudiogallery.msdn.microsoft.com/f1dae7fe-1ecc-4f1b-86b5-32a2970d012a.


2. Modify your project file to allow the TypeScript files to compile to JavaScript when the project is compiled. To do this, you need to do the following:

- Edit your fsproj file. 

- Add the TypeScriptToolsVersion element and specify the appropriate TypeScript version that you have installed.


- Add 3 new commands to the BeforeBuild target.


- Save and re-open your project. You should now be good to go.



I plan to work on a solution to reduce the pain of step 2 in the near future, so stay tuned...