I propose we add #elif to the preprocessor grammar as part of the #if .. #else .. #endif block.

The existing way of approaching this problem in F# is: Nesting another #if under #else.

Pros and Cons

The advantages of making this adjustment to F# are: alignment with C# and simpler syntax.

The disadvantages of making this adjustment to F# are: none (well, it's work to implement).

Motivation

F# seems to have #elif preprocessor directive / pragma missing:
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/fsharp/language-reference/compiler-directives#preprocessor-directives

C# has it:
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/csharp/language-reference/preprocessor-directives#conditional-compilation

I know it's not good practice to use lot of these, I'm not trying to do a templating engine, I would just like to do a simple switch like this:

[<Literal>]
let myPath =
#if WIN64
  "/library/x64/runtime.dll"
#elif WIN86
  "/library/x86/runtime.dll"
#elif MAC
  "/library/iOS/runtime-osx.dll"
#else
  "/library/unix/runtime.dll"
#endif

The current workaround:

[<Literal>]
let myPath =
#if WIN64
  "/library/x64/runtime.dll"
#endif 
#if WIN86
  "/library/x86/runtime.dll"
#endif 
#if MAC
  "/library/iOS/runtime-osx.dll"
#endif 
#if !WIN64 && !WIN86 && !MAC
  "/library/unix/runtime.dll"
#endif

Extra information

Estimated cost (XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL): S

Related suggestions: #273

Affidavit (please submit!)

Please tick these items by placing a cross in the box:

• This is not a question (e.g. like one you might ask on StackOverflow) and I have searched StackOverflow for discussions of this issue
• This is a language change and not purely a tooling change (e.g. compiler bug, editor support, warning/error messages, new warning, non-breaking optimisation) belonging to the compiler and tooling repository
• This is not something which has obviously "already been decided" in previous versions of F#. If you're questioning a fundamental design decision that has obviously already been taken (e.g. "Make F# untyped") then please don't submit it
• I have searched both open and closed suggestions on this site and believe this is not a duplicate (Allow extended #if grammar #273 is similar, but not a duplicate)

Please tick all that apply:

• This is not a breaking change to the F# language design
• I or my company would be willing to help implement and/or test this

For Readers

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Moved from: dotnet/fsharp#17282