Add spaces before uppercase letters

Question

I'm trying to convert some very simple C# string utility functions to F# as a learning exercise. Ignore the fact that the C# version is implemented as an extension method for the moment.

The function adds a blank space before any upper case letters (with the exception of the very first char) - so, "ATestString" becomes "A Test String":

return string.Concat(str.Select(x => Char.IsUpper(x) ? " " + x : x.ToString())).TrimStart(' ');

My first pass using F#:

let padWithSpace str = 
 (str |> Seq.fold (fun acc elm -> if Char.IsUpper(elm) then acc + (sprintf " %c" <| elm) else acc + (string elm)) "").TrimStart([| ' ' |])

Is there a more concise, or more importantly, idiomatic way to do this in F#?

Answer 1

String.collect is equivalent to Select+Concat.

let padWithSpace = 
 String.collect (fun c -> (if Char.IsUpper c then " " else "") + string c) 
 >> fun s -> s.TrimStart()

• EdGrimlock: Ah function composition, never thought of that. Hence my status as newbie ;) I think I like this better.