Slice like functionality from a List in F#

Question

With an array let foo = [|1;2;3;4|] I can use any of the following to return a slice from an array.

foo.[..2] 
foo.[1..2] 
foo.[2..]
         


        

Answer 1

F# 4.0 will allow slicing syntax for lists (link).

Rationale is here:

The F# list type already supports an index operator, xs.[3]. This is done despite the fact that lists are linked lists in F# - lists are just so commonly used in F# that in F# 2.0 it was decided to support this.

Since an index syntax is supported, it makes sense to also support the F# slicing syntax, e.g. xs.[3..5]. It is very strange to have to switch to an array type to use slicing, but you don't have to make that switch for indexing.

Still, Juliet answer, saying that, most of the time slicing a list is the wrong approach, still holds true. So be wise when using this feature.