F# Compiler Options: incorrect information about <output-filename> for -a and --target

[nightroman]

https://github.com/dotnet/docs/blob/master/docs/fsharp/language-reference/compiler-options.md

-a**<output-filename>**
Generates a library and specifies its filename. This option is a short form of --target:library**<filename>**.

--target:[exe | winexe | library | module ] <output-filename>
Specifies the type and file name of the generated compiled code.
...

I think <output-filename> is either not supported or the docs should tell how to use it.

But it looks like

• -a is a simple switch;
• --target is a named parameter with one value, not two

and the output file name is specified by the provided option -o|--out.

The documentation refers to /target (C# Compiler Options).
This page does not tell anything about extra <output-filename>.

Simple tests show errors that -a does not expect a parameter:

> fsc -a z.dll Q1.fs
error FS2020: The assembly 'z.dll' is listed on the command line. Assemblies should be referenced using a command line flag such as '-r'.

> fsc -a:z.dll Q1.fs
error FS0243: Unrecognized option: '-a'

[mairaw]

@cartermp can you take a look at this issue?

[mairaw]

We're clearing up Quarter 4 issues @cartermp. Any idea when you can get this addressed?

[cartermp]

As per the usage --target:library file1.fs, usage should be -a file1.fs. I renamed "output-file" to "file" in the docs to clarify this.

[nightroman]

@cartermp Could you please give the final text?. In -a file1.fs, file1.fs has nothing to do with -a because -a is a switch, complete thing on its own. Or am I missing something?

[nightroman]

IMHO, this

-a**<output-filename>**
Generates a library and specifies its filename. This option is a short form of --target:....

should be replaced with

-a
Tells to generate a class library.

And it is not a short form of --target. Target is a different parameter which specifies the name of a library if -a is used or executable if -a is not used.

This is my understanding.

[cartermp]

As per the source code the -a switch is a shorthand form of --target:library, as per what the documentation currently says.

[nightroman]

Then why my example in the very first post does not work per documentation and source code?