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Scala for the Impatient

Written by Cay S. Horstmann

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1,446 pages, about 29 hours of reading

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About this book

This is the eBook of the printed book and may not include any media, website access codes, or print supplements that may come packaged with the bound book. Interest in the Scala programming language continues to grow for many reasons. Scala embraces the functional programming style without abandoning the object-oriented paradigm, and it allows you to write programs more concisely than in Java. Because Scala runs on the JVM, it can access any Java library and is interoperable with familiar Java frameworks. Scala also makes it easier to leverage the full power of concurrency. Written for experienced Java, C++, or C# programmers who are new to Scala or functional programming, Scala for the Impatient, Second Edition, introduces the key Scala concepts and techniques you need in order to be productive quickly. It is the perfect introduction to the language, particularly for impatient readers who want to learn the fundamentals of Scala so they can start coding quickly. It doesn’t attempt to exhaustively list all the features of the language or make you suffer through long and contrived examples. Instead, carefully crafted examples and hands-on activities guide you through well-defined stages of competency, from basic to expert. This revised edition has been thoroughly updated for Scala 2.12 and reflects current Scala usage. It includes added coverage of recent Scala features, including string interpolation, dynamic invocation, implicit classes, and futures. Scala is a big language, but you can use it effectively without knowing all of its details intimately. This title provides precisely the information that you need to get started in compact, easy-to-understand chunks. Get started quickly with Scala’s interpreter, syntax, tools, and unique idioms Master core language features: functions, arrays, maps, tuples, packages, imports, exception handling, and more Become familiar with object-oriented programming in Scala: classes, inheritance, and traits Use Scala for real-world programming tasks: working with files, regular expressions, and XML Work with higher-order functions and the powerful Scala collections library Leverage Scala’s powerful pattern matching and case classes Create concurrent programs with Scala futures Implement domain-specific languages Understand the Scala type system Apply advanced “power tools,” such as annotations, implicits, and type classes

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Reading guide

Themes, characters and key ideas in Scala for the Impatient, written by Chaptra AI.

  • about 8 hours
  • intermediate
  • instructive
  • practical
  • concise

''Scala for the Impatient'' is a highly focused and pragmatic guide designed for experienced programmers (Java, C++, C#) seeking a rapid introduction to the Scala programming language. Authored by Cay S. Horstmann, it prioritizes quick productivity over exhaustive coverage, distilling complex Scala concepts into digestible chunks. The book emphasizes Scala's hybrid functional and object-oriented paradigms, its JVM interoperability, and its features for concise and concurrent programming. Updated for Scala 2.12, it aims to equip readers with the fundamental knowledge and practical skills needed to effectively utilize Scala without getting bogged down in every intricate detail.

Scala embraces the functional programming style without abandoning the object-oriented paradigm.

Key themes

Conciseness and Expressiveness
This theme explores how Scala's design, combining functional and object-oriented features, allows developers to write more compact and readable code compared to verbose languages like Java. It's a core motivation for adopting Scala.
Functional-Object Hybrid Paradigm
This central theme showcases Scala's unique ability to blend the strengths of both functional programming (immutability, higher-order functions) and object-oriented programming (classes, inheritance, encapsulation) into a cohesive language.
Interoperability with Java
A fundamental aspect of Scala's appeal, this theme highlights its seamless integration with the vast Java ecosystem. Running on the JVM, Scala can effortlessly use existing Java libraries and frameworks, making adoption easier for Java developers.

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