Commercial Functional Programming with Scala Study Group

Scala is one of the most commercial successfully programming languages in which functional programming is not only possible, but it is actively supported by language features, popular libraries such as Shapeless and Scalaz, and many prominent advocates of functional programming.

The language, however, is a complex beast to master — requiring knowledge of object-oriented programming, parametric polymorphism, higher-order functions, higher-kinded types, mutable and immutable data, and much more.

Moreover, given the breadth of the Scala programming language, it is not easy to see which of the possible ways of using Scala result in the most production-worthy, readable, and composable functional code.

In order to promote purely functional programming in Scala, especially within Boulder and surrounding areas (but not limited to them), John A. De Goes is leading a study group that starts with the basics of the Scala language.

If you join at the beginning of the study group, no prior experience in Scala or static type systems is required, and minimal programming experience is required.

In fact, the group's first few months will be especially friendly to those looking to land their first job as a commercial Scala engineer, and both recent graduates from bootcamps or those with minimal recent programming experience are highly encouraged to join.

We will start the study group with the following books:

• Essential Scala (http://underscore.io/books/essential-scala/)

• Advanced Scala with Cats (http://underscore.io/books/advanced-scala/)

The cost for both books is $100, and that is the only fee associated with participating in the study group. If you cannot afford this fee, please reach out and we'll find a way to cover the cost.

In addition, if you have limited experience in programming, it is recommended you personally study Creative Scala (http://underscore.io/books/creative-scala/), although that is not required.

The group will meet once a week (remote-friendly!) on Tuesdays, with the occasional meetup on the weekend so more people can attend in person, and John will introduce the next week's material, assign exercises, and review the prior week's material. You should expect to spend a couple hours a week completing exercises and improving your understanding of the presented material.

To organize participation in the study group, we will be using the LambdaConf Slack account, in a special private channel (scalastudy). If you would like access, please email John through this meetup group.