If you’ve had trouble trying to learn Functional Programming (FP), you’re not alone. In this best-selling, highly-rated book, Alvin Alexander — author of the Scala Cookbook for O’Reilly, the Scala Book for the official Scala website, and former teacher of Java and Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) classes — writes about his own problems in trying to understand FP, how he finally conquered it, and how he teaches others.
In this classic book — one of the highest-selling FP books of all time — he teaches FP in a simple style, without worrying about abstract concepts like functors, monads, and category theory. Instead, he explains FP through a series of small, pragmatic lessons and examples.
The Motivation Behind Functional Programming
For instance, the first thing he learned is that experienced FP developers (FPers) are driven by two goals: to use only immutable values and write only pure functions. But then later he learned the REAL truth: FPers have these goals because their true desire — or mental model — is that they want all of their code to look and work just like algebra.
While that sounds simple, it turns out that these goals require them to use some advanced Scala features — which they often use all at the same time. As a result, their code can look completely foreign to novice FP developers. As Mr. Alexander writes, “When you first see their code it’s easy to ask, ‘Why would you write code like this?’”
But then Mr. Alexander answers that “Why?” question by explaining the benefits of writing pure functional code.
Five Rules for Functional Programming
Once you understand those benefits — your motivation for learning FP — he shares five rules for programming in the book:
In the book you’ll see how those five, simple rules naturally lead you to write pure, functional code that reads like algebra. He also shares one more Golden Rule for learning:
Lessons
Lessons in the book include:
As Mr. Alexander writes, “In this book I take the time to explain all of the concepts that are used to write FP code in Scala. As I learned from my own experience, once you understand the Five Rules and the small concepts, you can understand Scala/FP.”
Bonus: More Free Content Online
Please note that because of the limits on how large a printed book can be, the paperback version does not include all of the chapters that are in the Kindle eBook. The following lessons are not in the paperback version:
Because those lessons didn’t fit in the print version, they have been made freely available online.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Alvin took the circuitous route to software development. He managed to get a degree in Aerospace Engineering from Texas A&M University, while all he was really trying to do was play baseball. Once he became a practicing engineer, he realized he liked software and programming more than engineering. So in approximate order he taught himself Fortran, C, Unix, network administration, sed, awk, Lisp, Perl, Java, JavaScript, Python, Ruby, JRuby, PHP, and Scala. During this process he started a software consulting firm, grew it to fifteen people, sold it, and moved to Alaska. After returning to the “Lower 48,” he self-published two books (“How I Sold My Business: A Personal Diary”, and “Zen and the Art of Consulting”), and then wrote the “Scala Cookbook” for O’Reilly. He also created alvinalexander.com, which receives millions of page views every year.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
£ 2.80 shipping within United Kingdom
Destination, rates & speeds£ 22.13 shipping from U.S.A. to United Kingdom
Destination, rates & speedsSeller: WorldofBooks, Goring-By-Sea, WS, United Kingdom
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR011864405
Quantity: 3 available
Seller: WorldofBooks, Goring-By-Sea, WS, United Kingdom
Paperback. Condition: Fine. Seller Inventory # GOR013085713
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: WeBuyBooks, Rossendale, LANCS, United Kingdom
Condition: Good. Most items will be dispatched the same or the next working day. A copy that has been read but remains in clean condition. All of the pages are intact and the cover is intact and the spine may show signs of wear. The book may have minor markings which are not specifically mentioned. A few small stains. Seller Inventory # rev2758094966
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: SecondSale, Montgomery, IL, U.S.A.
Condition: Very Good. Item in very good condition! Textbooks may not include supplemental items i.e. CDs, access codes etc. Seller Inventory # 00086600973
Quantity: 2 available
Seller: Bay State Book Company, North Smithfield, RI, U.S.A.
Condition: acceptable. The book is complete and readable, with all pages and cover intact. Dust jacket, shrink wrap, or boxed set case may be missing. Pages may have light notes, highlighting, or minor water exposure, but nothing that affects readability. May be an ex-library copy and could include library markings or stickers. Seller Inventory # BSM.HYLM
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Toscana Books, AUSTIN, TX, U.S.A.
Paperback. Condition: new. Excellent Condition.Excels in customer satisfaction, prompt replies, and quality checks. Seller Inventory # Scanned1979788782
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Revaluation Books, Exeter, United Kingdom
Paperback. Condition: Brand New. 780 pages. 10.00x7.00x1.76 inches. This item is printed on demand. Seller Inventory # zk1979788782
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Goodbooks Company, Springdale, AR, U.S.A.
Condition: good. Has a sturdy binding with some shelf wear. May have some markings or highlighting. Used copies may not include access codes or Cd's. Slight bending may be present. Seller Inventory # GBV.1979788782.G
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: HPB-Red, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Paperback. Condition: Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used textbooks may not include companion materials such as access codes, etc. May have some wear or writing/highlighting. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority! Seller Inventory # S_393172037
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: HPB-Emerald, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
paperback. Condition: Very Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority! Seller Inventory # S_437868806
Quantity: 1 available