Functional Programming Principles in Scala (Scala 2 version)

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/scala2-functional-programming

Introduction

### Course Review: Functional Programming Principles in Scala (Scala 2 Version) **Overview** In an age where functional programming is gaining momentum in the software development industry, the course "Functional Programming Principles in Scala" on Coursera stands out as a comprehensive introduction to both the Scala programming language and the principles of functional programming. Scala’s unique blend of functional and object-oriented programming makes it an invaluable skill set for developers. It not only powers significant frameworks like Apache Spark and Kafka but also underpins major platforms like Twitter and Tumblr. This course caters to both beginners wanting to dive into functional programming and professionals looking to enhance their existing skill set. **Course Structure** The course is meticulously structured with a progressive syllabus that builds upon fundamental concepts while introducing advanced techniques. Below is a breakdown of the weekly topics: 1. **Getting Started + Functions & Evaluation**: The course kicks off with a comprehensive introduction to Scala, guiding learners through installation and familiarizing them with the assignment submission process. Key concepts of functional versus imperative programming are covered, along with foundational topics such as expressions, evaluation, conditionals, functions, and recursion. 2. **Higher Order Functions**: This week deepens the understanding of functions as first-class values. Students learn to craft higher-order functions and engage with Scala's syntax. The design of a data structure for rational numbers illustrates methods, classes, and data abstraction clearly. 3. **Data and Abstraction**: Diving into traits and hierarchies, this segment emphasizes the organization of classes and polymorphism in Scala. These themes are critical in mastering the language and ensuring robust data modelling. 4. **Types and Pattern Matching**: This week focuses on the intricate relationship between functions and objects in Scala. Learners explore Scala's type system, understanding subtyping and generics, leading into powerful tools such as pattern matching. 5. **Lists**: An essential component of Scala programming, lists are explored in-depth. This week provides insights into the most commonly used data structure in Scala, adding to the foundation of functional programming skills. 6. **Collections**: Building on the earlier weeks, this session broadens the knowledge base to include other data structures such as vectors, maps, and arrays while experimenting with Scala's for-comprehensions to query data effectively. **Pros of the Course** - **In-depth Coverage**: The course delivers a comprehensive exploration of functional programming concepts and Scala features, ensuring a well-rounded understanding. - **Hands-on Learning**: The emphasis on assignments and practical assignments enables learners to apply what they learn immediately, solidifying knowledge retention. - **Community and Resources**: Students benefit from a community of learners and various resources available through Coursera, enhancing the overall learning experience. **Cons of the Course** - **Pacing**: Some beginners without prior programming experience may find the pacing slightly quick, particularly in the more advanced weeks. - **Scala 2 Specificity**: As the course focuses on Scala 2, learners may need to seek additional resources to transition to Scala 3, which has notable changes and improvements. **Recommendation** Overall, **"Functional Programming Principles in Scala (Scala 2 Version)"** is highly recommended for anyone looking to deepen their knowledge of functional programming while becoming proficient in Scala. The course not only provides a solid foundation in programming principles but also prepares developers to leverage Scala in real-world applications effectively. Whether you are a newcomer to coding or an experienced developer, this course will enhance your understanding and adaptability in today’s ever-evolving tech landscape. ### Conclusion Investing time in this course could significantly enhance your software development capabilities and prepare you for roles in various industries that leverage Scala. With its well-structured syllabus and supportive community, you’ll find yourself well-equipped to take on challenges in functional programming and beyond. Don't miss the opportunity to elevate your programming skills with this insightful course on Coursera!

Syllabus

Getting Started + Functions & Evaluation

Get up and running with Scala on your computer. Complete an example assignment to familiarize yourself with our unique way of submitting assignments. In this week, we'll learn the difference between functional imperative programming. We step through the basics of Scala; covering expressions, evaluation, conditionals, functions, and recursion

This week, we'll learn about functions as first-class values, and higher order functions. We'll also learn about Scala's syntax and how it's formally defined. Finally, we'll learn about methods, classes, and data abstraction through the design of a data structure for rational numbers.

This week, we'll cover traits, and we'll learn how to organize classes into hierarchies. We'll cover the hierarchy of standard Scala types, and see how to organize classes and traits into packages. Finally, we'll touch upon the different sorts of polymorphism in Scala.

This week we'll learn about the relationship between functions and objects in Scala; functions *are* objects! We'll zoom in on Scala's type system, covering subtyping and generics, and moving on to more advanced aspects of Scala's type system like variance. Finally, we'll cover Scala's most widely used data structure, Lists, and one of Scala's most powerful tools, pattern matching.

This week we dive into Lists, the most commonly-used data structure in Scala.

After a deep-dive into Lists, this week we'll explore other data structures; vectors, maps, ranges, arrays, and more. We'll dive into Scala's powerful and flexible for-comprehensions for querying data.