Most programming languages are gaining functional programming constructs, and the JVM remains a rock-solid base on which to build a wide variety of applications; however, the legacy ties to OOP in the Java programming language itself make many of the more interesting and useful aspects of functional programming difficult to achieve.
In this course we’ll dive into two popular FP languages for the JVM: Scala and Clojure. You’ll learn about the critical features designed into these languages that can take your software to the next level. Both languages have great strengths, but we’ll also talk about the most significant problems that you’ll face when adopting either.

The hands-on portion of the course will concentrate on some of the most significant benefits of working with each.

The content is approachable for all levels of developers. Experience working with Java, Javascript, or C# is recommended.

Course Outline
Scala
-First-class persistent data structures
-Improved type system
-Type inference, call-by-name, extended argument lists, implicits
-Libraries of interest
-Weaknesses and Challenges
-Scala.js (browser-based scala)
-Lab: Live coding & code examples that people can run/modify to demonstrate the topics

Clojure
-Dramatically simpler syntax
-Language concerns at a library layer
-Code as data
-Ad-hoc polymorphism
-First-class treatment of time as a programming concern
-Spec vs Type systems
-Dynamic development
-Libraries of interest
-Weaknesses and Challenges
-Clojurescript (browser-based Clojure)
-Lab: Some tractable code examples you can run/modify demonstrate the topics

Summary
-A review of pros/cons, naming specific use-cases for each language.
-Objective comparison: How to talk to others about the pros/cons

The trainer

Vijay is a functional programmer in Clojure/Scala with 15 years of experience with Java and JVM technologies. He is Co-organiser of Dutch Clojure Day and Co-host of defn – a Clojure podcast.

He currently works as Lead Dangineer dealing with all things Data Engineering/Analytics/Science at Werkspot, Amsterdam.