One F# 4.1 compiler includes targetPlatform value of netstandard, the other does not

Question

The F# 4.1 compiler on my build machine has slightly different --targetProfile options than the F# 4.1 compiler on my dev machine.

On my dev machine, when I type fsc.exe -? the output includes the following:

Microsoft (R) F# Compiler version 4.1
     :
--targetprofile:<string>
Specify target framework profile of this assembly.
Valid values are mscorlib, netcore or netstandard.
     :

On my build server, the same command outputs the following:

Microsoft (R) F# Compiler version 4.1
     :
--targetprofile:<string>
Specify target framework profile of this assembly.
Valid values are mscorlib or netcore.
     :

Notice that the dev machine includes netstandard as a valid value, but the build server does not.

Consequently, when I try to build my project on the build server, I get a compile time error of "error FS1052: Invalid value 'netstandard' for '--targetprofile'"

What is going on? Is there a way to display the real version number of an F# 4.1 compiler? fsc.exe --version does not work.

Answer 1

I don't think this is to do with the F# compiler version but rather the .NET SDK(s) installed. Check the target framework TFMs.

I have mscorlib, netcore or netstandard and I will take a stab at where they come from:

• mscorlib from full framework...comes with Windows
• netcore installed with VS 2017 when selecting ".NET desktop development"
• netstandard installed with NET Core SDK

If this is the case I would imagine installing .NET Core SDK on the build server would sort it out since you seem to be targeting netstandard.