Clojure for Java Developers

Clojure for Java Developers

Presented by John Stevenson (http://blog.jr0cket.co.uk/) (@jr0cket (https://twitter.com/jr0cket))

Learning a new language is one of the best things a developer can do to broaden their experience and adapt different approaches into their work. The greater the difference in language principles and syntax, the more you can benefit. Learning a functional programming language can also help you make more of the current trend of multi-core CPU architecture.

Clojure (http://clojure.org/) is a new functional programming language for the Java platform and yet based on one of the oldest languages still in use, Lisp (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lisp_%28programming_language%29). Clojure in my humble opinion is one of the most beautiful languages I have used. Its simplicity of syntax & design approach makes it a really powerful general purpose language.

Using the concept of REPL driven programming, I will introduce you to the concept and syntax of the language. I'll also cover the key tools and libraries that help you develop applications quickly and effectively. Topics include:

* Clojure syntax & the dynamic nature of Clojure
* Atomic & aggregate data types
* Java interoperability & underlying Java objects
* Immutability & managing state
* Homoiconisity & macros
* Building Clojure projects & dependency management with Leiningen (http://leiningen.org/)
* Repl driven programming with LightTable (http://www.lighttable.com/) & Emacs

Maybe some graphics fun with Quil (https://github.com/quil/quil) if there is time!

Who should attend:

This session is suitable for anyone who is a developer, or studying to be a developer. Whilst comparisons will be made to the Java language, tools & ecosystem, Java is not a pre-requisite to discover Clojure.

Agenda:

18:30: Doors Open
18:45: 'Clojure for Java Developers' presented by John Stevenson (60 mins approx.)
19:45: Networking

Please Note:

This event is being held in the Darwin B15 Lecture Theatre at UCL, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT. The entrance is on Gower Street - http://www.ucl.ac.uk/find-us/?locationID=15

After event informal drinks:

We will head to 'Hotel Ibis - London, Euston, St Pancras' - 3 Cardington Street, London, NW1 2LW - for networking and further informal discussion. http://www.ibishotel.com/gb/hotel-0921-ibis-london-euston-st-pancras/location.shtml

Refreshments are kindly being sponsored by Retrospective - http://www.retrospective.centeractive.com/

Organised by RecWorks:

This event is kindly being sponsored by: