Smatterings of F#: Integrating F# in a C#-Focused World
Matthew Watt presents ways C# developers can leverage F# in their .NET projects, from building components to contributing to open source, showcasing inclusive strategies for using F# effectively.
Smatterings of F#: Integrating F# in a C#-Focused World
Speaker: Matthew Watt
Event: .NET Conf 2025
Overview
Are you a .NET developer tethered to C# or VB.NET? Matthew Watt's talk explores the often-overlooked power of F#—a functional-first language in the .NET family. Whether you are a seasoned F# advocate or a C# fanatic curious about new paradigms, this session encourages inclusive experimentation and pragmatic use of F# in C#-dominated environments.
Key Takeaways
- **Expanding Beyond C#😗* C# is central to .NET, but F# offers different ways of thinking that can enhance your programming arsenal.
- Accessibility: You don't need to convince your whole team to migrate or wear an “F# Developer” badge to bring some F# into your work.
Practical Examples
- Astro Blog Enhancements: Matthew discusses building a simple commenting system and other frontend components using F# alongside an Astro-based blog, showing how F# can augment existing projects without requiring a rewrite.
- Open Source Contributions: Tips for making meaningful contributions to F# projects—from fixing missing functionality to improving documentation—demonstrate that getting involved doesn't require groundbreaking changes.
Strategies for Adoption
- Small Wins: Use “smatterings” of F# in supportive roles to add value without disrupting established C# workflows.
- Community Engagement: Share your F# experiences and give back through open source.
- Mindset Shift: Exploring F# concepts can improve your C# code, promote new ways of solving problems, and foster innovation.
Who Should Watch?
- C# developers curious about F# and wanting to experiment safely.
- Secret F# fans hesitant to introduce it at work.
- Anyone seeking practical steps to combine functional programming with their .NET work.
Resources
Matthew encourages developers to explore F# at their own pace, integrating it incrementally, and showing that adding functional paradigms to your toolkit can be enjoyable and rewarding.