About Expandable F# Compiler project – F# Advent Calendar in English 2016

// The standard .NET method signature (Tupled arguments)
let output1 (a: int, b: string, c: double) =
  System.Console.WriteLine("output1: {0}:{1}:{2}", a, b, c)

// F# function (Curryable arguments)
let output2 (a: int) (b: string) (c: double) =
  System.Console.WriteLine("output2: {0}:{1}:{2}", a, b, c)

// Call the standard .NET method signature (Tupled arguments)
// (int * string * double) -> unit
output1 (123, "ABC", 456.789)

// Call the F# function (Curryable arguments)
// int -> string -> double -> unit
output2 123 "ABC" 456.789

// For output1 method:
Ast.SynExpr.App( (* expr1 *)          // App - output1(...)
  ExprAtomicFlag.NonAtomic (* exprAtomicFlag *),
  false (* isInfix *),
  Ast.SynExpr.Ident( (* funcExpr *)
    output1 (* Item *)),
  Ast.SynExpr.Paren( (* argExpr *)    // Paren --> Tuple : Tupled arguments
    Ast.SynExpr.Tuple( (* expr *)
      [ (* exprs *)                   // Arguments declaring by list
        Ast.SynExpr.Const( (* [0] *)
          Ast.SynConst.Int32( (* constant *)
            123 (* Item *)));
        Ast.SynExpr.Const( (* [1] *)
          Ast.SynConst.String( (* constant *)
            "ABC" (* text *)));
        Ast.SynExpr.Const( (* [2] *)
          Ast.SynConst.Double( (* constant *)
            456.789 (* Item *)))],
      [ (* commaRanges *)]),
    range>.Some( (* rightParenRange *)))),

// For output2 function:
Ast.SynExpr.App( (* expr2 *)          // App - Apply 456.789
  ExprAtomicFlag.NonAtomic (* exprAtomicFlag *),
  false (* isInfix *),
  Ast.SynExpr.App( (* funcExpr *)     // App - Apply "ABC"
    ExprAtomicFlag.NonAtomic (* exprAtomicFlag *),
    false (* isInfix *),
    Ast.SynExpr.App( (* funcExpr *)   // App - Apply 123 for output2
      ExprAtomicFlag.NonAtomic (* exprAtomicFlag *),
      false (* isInfix *),
      Ast.SynExpr.Ident( (* funcExpr *)
        output2 (* Item *)),
      Ast.SynExpr.Const( (* argExpr *)
        Ast.SynConst.Int32( (* constant *)
          123 (* Item *)))),
    Ast.SynExpr.Const( (* argExpr *)
      Ast.SynConst.String( (* constant *)
        "ABC" (* text *)))),
  Ast.SynExpr.Const( (* argExpr *)
    Ast.SynConst.Double( (* constant *)
      456.789 (* Item *))))),

// Call the F# function (Curryable arguments)
// int -> string -> double -> unit
output2 123 "ABC" 456.789

// It's meaning for expression:
((output2 123) "ABC") 456.789

// Split expressions:
let f1 = output2 123  // f1 is higher order function
let f2 = f1 "ABC"     // f2 is higher order function
f2 456.789

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The filter’s middleware

So we can do anything by filter library AND implementation are very hard work. Then I’m thinking about how to do easier it…
I’m trying to design the helper library: “FSharp.Expandable.Compiler.Aspect.”

Will we have what intercept anything (by fscx)? This library is “Middleware” for fscx, we can safe implements for insert custom code between enter and leave function points. Today, we are calling the “AOP (Aspect oriented paradigm)” for this technics.

If we use this helper library by develop filter library in this case, our filter code are simple, safe and more easier.

For example below:

// This is "Aspect context" class
type SampleAspectContext internal (body: string) =
  // Finish aspect (trigger are leaved method with return value)
  member __.Leave(result: 'T) : 'T =
    Console.WriteLine("Leave: " + body)
    result
  // Finish aspect (trigger are leaved method with exception)
  member __.Caught(ex: exn) : unit =
    Console.WriteLine("Caught: " + body + ": " + ex.ToString())

// This is "Aspect" class
type SampleAspect() =
  // Start aspect (trigger are entered method)
  static member Enter(methodName: string, fileName: string, line: int, column: int, args: obj[]) =
    let body =
      String.Format
        ("{0}({1}, {2}): {3}({4})",
         fileName,
         line,
         column,
         methodName,
         String.Join(", ", args |> Seq.map (sprintf "%A")))
    Console.WriteLine("Enter: " + body)
    new SampleAspectContext(body)

This sample codes (Called “Aspect code”) are printing to console for function call message between enter and leave (include caught exception). “SampleAspect.Enter(…)” method is calling from before function call and “SampleAspectContext.Leave(…)” or “Caught(…)”
methods are calling from after function called.

“Enter(…)” method received the method name, source code file name, line/column number and will be calling with arguments. This sample codes prints these information to Console and create instance for “SampleAspectContext” class and return.

“Leave(…)” or “Caught(…)” handles to print leave messages. “Leave(…)” can receive for function called result. “Caught(…)” can receive for exception instance.

These aspect codes are truly “Duck-typed.” fscx will be identicate and not require any base classes and any interfaces. Because if request these types, we have .NET assembly referencing problem and fix this problem for very hard on packaging by NuGet :(

Ready for aspect named “SampleAspect” class. Next step, how to identicate this aspect for “FSharp.Expandable.Compiler.Aspect?” :

// This is declaring for aspect: "SampleAspect" class.
// Class name is free.
[<Sealed>]
type SampleAspectLoggerDeclaration() =
  // Construct with aspect class name. This is duck-typed naming (by string.)
  inherit DeclareFscxInjectAspectVisitor("SampleAspectLogger.SampleAspect")

Totally aspect tips: Aspect codes and this declaration requests loose types, so we can write aspects by C#.

This declaration contains on filter library, fscx can find and translate:

• If fscx is targeting for a function, fscx insert custom AST nodes before calling function. Call to “SampleAspect.Enter(…)”
• And fscx insert custom AST nodes after called function. Call to “SampleAspectContext.Leave(…)” or “Caught(…).” Leave with called function result value, Caught with exception instance by (inserted) try-with block.

This sample code fragment:

let f11 (a: int, b: string, c: int) =
  output1(a + c, b, 123.456)

Translate to:

let f11 (a: int, b: string, c: int) =
  let __arg_0 = a + c
  let __arg_1 = b
  let __arg_2 = 123.456
  let __context =
    SampleAspectLogger.SampleAspect.Enter
      ("f11", "SampleCode.fs", 2, 3, [|__arg_0, __arg_1, __arg_2|])
  try
    __context.Leave(output1(__arg_0, __arg_1, __arg_2))
  with
  | ex ->
    __context.Caught(ex)
    reraise()

This sample code declare “f11(…)” by tupled arguments method, sure can translate for function by curryable arguments.

Totally at this point: We have only the aspect classes “SampleAspect, SampleAspectContext” and aspect declaration “SampleAspectLoggerDeclaration”. These are contains no AST translation codes… Oh I made it! :)

Currently, I’m developing “FSharp.Expandable.Compiler.Aspect” now and not finish, because how to set where insert aspects to the target function.

---

Conclusion

fscx is challenging project for me. This project has several points:

• fscx is easy-usage (by install NuGet) for any filter users.
• We can develop any auto translation by ASTs (but very difficult).
• We can develop easier any AOP based senarios by using fscx’s middleware.
• All filter libraries can deploy by NuGet packaged.

The myth: We write OOP based codes by F# that’s hassle. Because if we become to FP, a little bit tired for declare many class and/or interface word elements. (It’s myth! don’t make seriously :)

We often write for UI codes, for example how to implement “INotifyPropertyChanged.” fscx is capable for can filtering auto-implement this interface, these senarios capsule to the middleware and running this code by no runtime cost. Finally we can construct ecosystem for filter libraries.

Acknowledgments: Thanks cooperation for On the road corporation and Mr. bleis.

Thank you for reading, welcome any comments! Happy christmas!!