Question 1

How to use TypeShape to build a custom JSON serializer in F#?

Accepted Answer

Start by adapting the printer or parser samples from the project folder, using TypeShape's active patterns to traverse types and generate serialization logic. For JSON, you'd map type shapes to JSON tokens, similar to the pretty printer example, but output JSON format. Check the samples for FParsec-based parsers as a reference.

Question 2

TypeShape vs standard reflection in F#: which is faster?

Accepted Answer

TypeShape is optimized to minimize reflection overhead, with benchmarks showing performance improvements for generic programs like serialization. However, for simple, one-off type inspections, raw reflection might be sufficient without the library's complexity.

Question 3

Can I use TypeShape with C# projects?

Accepted Answer

It's primarily an F# library and leverages F# features like active patterns and object expressions, making integration with C# cumbersome. While possible through interop, it's not designed for seamless use outside F# ecosystems.

Question 4

How to extend TypeShape for custom serializable types like ISerializable?

Accepted Answer

Use the extensibility features by creating new active patterns, as shown in the ISerializableExtensions example. This involves defining IShapeVisitor implementations to handle the custom shape, then integrating it into your generic programs.

Question 5

Is TypeShape good for real-time or high-performance applications?

Accepted Answer

Yes, due to its performance optimizations and optional runtime code generation for member access, it can be suitable. However, always benchmark specific use cases, as the reflection foundation might still introduce latency in extreme scenarios.

Question 6

TypeShape or Infers: which generic programming library should I choose?

Accepted Answer

TypeShape is more established with a focus on performance and extensibility, widely used in projects like FsPickler. Infers offers different abstractions; choose based on whether you need TypeShape's visitor pattern approach or Infers' alternative methods, considering community support and documentation.

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