Optional: NGEN the Proto Compiler for faster future startup (optional)

##Steps - Building the F# Core Library

This uses the proto compiler to build the FSharp.Core library, for Mono/.NET 4.0.

Note: Make sure you run the .NET 4.0`msbuild.exe`, e.g.`C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v4.0.30319\MSBuild.exe`.

This uses the proto compiler to build the`FSharp.Compiler.dll` and`fsc.exe` to run on for Mono/.NET 4.0.

Note: Make sure you run the .NET 4.0`msbuild.exe`, e.g.`C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v4.0.30319\MSBuild.exe`.

This uses the proto compiler to build the unit tests that check some parts of`FSharp.Core.dll` and`FSharp.Compiler.dll`. There is also another set of tests under`tests\fsharp`.

*Note: You must have NUnit installed.*

Some tests for LINQ queries require SQL Server be installed. A failing test will look like this:

You can then go to the relevant directory and run`build.bat` and`run.bat`.

##Preparing for inclusion in Mono

Building for the**mono20** and**mono40** frameworks gives strong-named, delay-signed assemblies with the`msfinal.pub` key and standard version numbers such as 2.0.0.0,2.3.0.0,4.0.0.0 and 4.3.0.0. You complete the signing of these assemblies using[http://github.com/fsharp/fsharp/raw/master/mono.snk](http://github.com/fsharp/fsharp/raw/master/mono.snk). These assemblies will not run if you already have a version of them installed in your GAC (e.g. if you have Visual Studio 2012).

Building for the**mono20** and**mono40** frameworks gives strong-named, delay-signed assemblies with the`msfinal.pub` key and standard version numbers such as**2.0.0.0**,**2.3.0.0**,**4.0.0.0** and**4.3.0.0**. You complete the signing of these assemblies using[http://github.com/fsharp/fsharp/raw/master/mono.snk](http://github.com/fsharp/fsharp/raw/master/mono.snk). These assemblies will not run if you already have a version of them installed in your GAC (e.g. if you have Visual Studio 2012).

This is the way the assemblies are built in a source build of the canonical GitHub repository forfsharp and how the binaries are shipped in Mono binary distributions.

This is the way the assemblies are built in a source build of the canonical GitHub repository forF# and how the binaries are shipped in Mono binary distributions.

##Notes on the build

The prerequisites and build command line for compiling the source (on Windows) are shown later in this README. Here's the logic of the build:

* We first need an existing F# compiler, usually the one available from[http://fsharp.net](fsharp.net), although it could also be another. Let's assume this compiler has an`FSharp.Core.dll` with version X.

* We use this compiler to compile the source in this distribution, to produce a "proto" compiler, in the Proto directory. When run, this compiler still relies on the`FSharp.Core.dll` with version X.

* We use the proto compiler to compile the source for`FSharp.Core.dll` in this distribution, producing an`FSharp.Core.dll` with the version identified in`src\source-build-version`, usually 1.9.999.

* We use the proto compiler to compile the source for`FSharp.Compiler.dll`,`fsc.exe`,`fsi.exe` and other binaries found in this distribution. When run, these binaries will rely on the`FSharp.Core.dll` with version 1.9.999. This is good, since it means the 1.9.999 binaries now form a consistent, bootstrapped compiler. If you like you should now be able to throw away the compiler with version X.

* We use this compiler to compile the source in this distribution, to produce a "proto" compiler, in the`Proto` directory. When run, this compiler still relies on the`FSharp.Core.dll` with version X.

* We use the proto compiler to compile the source for`FSharp.Core.dll` in this distribution, producing an`FSharp.Core.dll` with the version identified in`src\source-build-version`, usually**1.9.999**.

* We use the proto compiler to compile the source for`FSharp.Compiler.dll`,`fsc.exe`,`fsi.exe` and other binaries found in this distribution. When run, these binaries will rely on the`FSharp.Core.dll` with version**1.9.999**. This is good, since it means the 1.9.999 binaries now form a consistent, bootstrapped compiler. If you like you should now be able to throw away the compiler with version X.

Some additional tools are required to build the compiler, notably`fslex.exe`,`fsyacc.exe`,`FSharp.PowerPack.Build.Tasks.dll`,`FsSrGen.exe`,`FSharp.SRGen.Build.Tasks.dll` and the other tools found in the`lkg` directory. These are "Last Known Good" binaries created from a version of the F# Power Pack on CodePlex. If you like you can throw away these binaries and use your own compiled versions of these. tools.

##Some alternative Steps - Building an optimized (Release) compiler for .NET 4.0 profile