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Introduction to Scala

IntermediateSkill Level

4.8+

Updated 11/2024

Begin your journey with Scala, a popular language for scalable applications and data engineering infrastructure.

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ScalaProgramming3 hr13 videos46 Exercises3,700 XP26,830Statement of Accomplishment

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Course Description

Get an introduction to the programming language Scala. You'll learn why and how companies like Netflix, Airbnb, and Morgan Stanley are choosing Scala for large-scale applications and data engineering infrastructure. You'll learn the basics of the language, including syntax and style, focusing on the most commonly used features in the Scala standard library. You'll learn by writing code for a real program that plays a computer version of the popular card game Twenty-One. You’ll get a taste of the value of a hybrid object-oriented and functional programming language, of which Scala is the foremost example. We recommend this course for learners with intermediate-level programming experience, which can be acquired in the listed prerequisites.

Prerequisites

Intermediate Python

1

A Scalable Language

Welcome to Scala! You'll learn what Scala is, who uses it, and why you should use it. You'll explore four common data types: integers, floating-point numbers, logical values, and text, using the Scala interpreter.

A scalable language

What is Scala?

Why use Scala?

Who uses Scala?

Scala code and the Scala interpreter

What makes Scala scalable?

Scala is object-oriented

Reasons for programming in Scala

Immutable variables (val) and value types

Define immutable variables (val)

Don't try to change me

Mutable variables (var) and type inference

Define mutable variables (var)

You can change me

Pros and cons of immutability

2

Workflows, Functions, Collections

Discover two more ways of writing Scala code (writing a script and building an application) and popular tools that make writing these programs easier. Then, learn what functions do and how to use them, and structure your data using the Array and List collections.

Scripts, applications, and real-world workflows

Create and run a Scala script

Benefits of compiled languages

What do functions do?

Identify the body of a function

Call a function

Create and parameterize an array

Initialize an array

An array, all at once

Updating arrays

Initialize and prepend to a list

Initialize a list using cons and Nil

Concatenate Lists

3

Type Systems, Control Structures, Style

Learn about Scala's advanced static type system. After learning how to control your program with if/else, while loops, and the foreach method, you’ll convert imperative-style code to the Scala-preferred functional style.

Scala's static type system

Static typing vs. dynamic typing

Pros and cons of static type systems

Make decisions with if and else

if and printing

if expressions result in a value

if and else inside of a function

while and the imperative style

A simple while loop

Loop over a collection with while

foreach and the functional style

Is Scala purely a functional language?

Converting while to foreach

Signs of style

The essence of Scala

Introduction to Scala

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FAQs

Why would a data professional learn Scala?

Companies like Netflix, Airbnb, and Morgan Stanley use Scala for large-scale applications and data engineering infrastructure. It runs on the JVM and integrates well with big data tools like Spark.

What programming background do I need for this course?

You should have intermediate Python experience. The course is aimed at learners with general programming knowledge who want to pick up Scala as an additional language.

What Scala concepts are covered in this course?

You learn data types, variables, scripts, applications, functions, Array and List collections, the static type system, control structures, and the functional programming style.

Does the course use a hands-on project?

Yes. You write code for a computer version of the card game Twenty-One, applying Scala concepts in a practical context throughout the exercises.

Does this course cover functional programming in Scala?

Yes. Chapter 3 introduces Scala's functional style and teaches you to convert imperative code into the preferred functional approach using methods like foreach.

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