Clarify that type abbreviations need not be shorter

[Copilot]

The term "type abbreviation" suggests the alternate name must be shorter, but the feature allows names of any length. All three examples in the doc actually show longer names, creating confusion.

Changes

• Added NOTE clarifying that despite the name, type abbreviations can be shorter or longer than the original type
• Documented common usage pattern: abbreviating long type names or type applications with generic arguments
• Explained that longer, more descriptive names are valid for improving readability

The established "type abbreviation" terminology is preserved throughout F# ecosystem and tooling, so only a clarification note was added rather than renaming the feature.

Fixes #20495

Original prompt

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This section details on the original issue you should resolve

<issue_title>Type abbreviations are not actually abbreviations</issue_title>
<issue_description>I just learned that this feature is called "type abbreviation". I always assumed it was called "type alias". I am sure the ship on this name has sailed, but since I couldn't find discussion about naming choice, I decided to create this issue anyway.

All the definitions given by Merriam-Webster for abbreviation include the concept of being shorter. However, this feature allows an alternative name that can be either shorter or longer. To add insult to injury, all three code blocks show the alternative name being longer than the original name.

type [accessibility-modifier] type-abbreviation = type-name // 9 characters to 17 characters type SizeType = uint32 // 6 characters to 8 characters type Transform<'a> = 'a -> 'a // 8 characters to 13 characters 

Maybe what was meant by "abbreviation" is not "syntactically shorter" but "conceptually simpler". I think the two given examples could satisfy this criteria in the right context, but of course this name still doesn't capture what the feature actually allows.

Like all human languages, English is constantly changing as people use it in new ways. It used to be that "literally" only meant "exactly like", but now it means either "exactly like" or "nothing like", which are opposites. Maybe the use of the word "abbreviation" has already embarked on a similar journey in which it means either "shorter" or "longer" but neither Merriam-Webster nor I are aware of it.

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Document Details

⚠ Do not edit this section. It is required for docs.microsoft.com ➟ GitHub issue linking.

• ID: 105f9300-8b09-128a-12dd-ef80add1ef27
• Version Independent ID: ba56baa3-7913-42ed-a88f-f278e89acb4d
• Content: Type Abbreviations - F#
• Content Source: docs/fsharp/language-reference/type-abbreviations.md
• Product: dotnet-fsharp
• GitHub Login: @cartermp
• Microsoft Alias: phcart</issue_description>

Comments on the Issue (you are @copilot in this section)

@BillWagner @T-Gro Should this one be closed without action? Or just add a note in the doc that an "alias" need not be "shorter" in terms of character count? @T-Gro Never thought about it this way. But it is so spread across the ecosystem that I am afraid it is too late to change that.

Maybe a delicate wording commentary can be added somewhere in the docs saying that the most common usage is to abbreviate long names, or abbreviate type applications with specified generic arguments into a single understandable name. And saying it can also be longer, even though in practice isn't.

It is even present as such in the compiler services and some public APIs.</comment_new>
<comment_new>@BillWagner
The right fix is to add a note in this article reflecting this comment: #20495 (comment)</comment_new>

• Fixes Type abbreviations are not actually abbreviations #20495

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[BillWagner]

This LGTM.

It's ready for final review.

[Copilot]

Pull request overview

This PR addresses issue #20495 by clarifying that F# type abbreviations can be shorter or longer than the original type name, despite the potentially misleading terminology. The change adds a NOTE block that explains common usage patterns and validates the use of longer, more descriptive names.

• Adds a NOTE block clarifying that type abbreviations can be any length
• Documents common usage patterns for the feature
• Preserves established terminology while addressing confusion

[Copilot]

The NOTE uses passive voice and weak verb constructions that violate the Markdown Writing Style Guidelines. Consider revising to use more direct, active language:

> [!NOTE] > Despite the name "type abbreviation," alternate names can be shorter or longer than the original type name. The most common usage abbreviates long type names or creates simpler names for type applications with specified generic arguments. Type abbreviations can also create longer, more descriptive names that improve code readability.

This revision:

• Removes the weak phrase "this feature allows you to"
• Eliminates "can be" weak verb construction
• Uses active voice throughout
• Makes the text more concise and direct