layout: series_index
title: “The ‘expressions and syntax’ series”

seriesIndexId: “Expressions and syntax”

In this series of posts we’ll look at how functions and values are combined into expressions, and the different kinds of expressions that are available in F#.

• Expressions and syntax: Introduction. How to code in F#.
• Expressions vs. statements. Why expressions are safer and make better building blocks.
• Overview of F# expressions. Control flows, lets, dos, and more.
• Binding with let, use, and do. How to use them.
• F# syntax: indentation and verbosity. Understanding the offside rule.
• Parameter and value naming conventions. a, f, x and friends.
• Control flow expressions. And how to avoid using them.
• Exceptions. Syntax for throwing and catching.
• Match expressions. The workhorse of F#.
• Formatted text using printf. Tips and techniques for printing and logging.
• Worked example: Parsing command line arguments. Pattern matching in practice.
• Worked example: Roman numerals. More pattern matching in practice.