Python.. Ruby.. Now Elixir? - Hipsters Assemble

Transcript

1. Python… Ruby… Now Elixir? Hipsters Assemble

2. About Me • Stephen McCullough • Currently working at ShopKeep

   as Senior Software Engineer • On a daily basis I use python & ruby • Find me at swm.cc or @swmcc on various interwebs

3. Hipsters Assemble… Is this harsh?

4. So why Elixir? • The future is functional • The

   future is concurrent

5. Immutability and functional • Elixir is a functional language with

   immutability • Mutability brings an uncertainty about how a program will execute • Functional programming and immutability makes it easier to reason about code

6. Concurrency • Its here to stay • Concurrency in Elixir

   is easy.

7. Web Framework • Phoenix is the most popular web framework

   (for now) • Creator of Elixir is a Rails core member and the creator of Phoenix • Opens up possibilities that are not present in traditional web frameworks

8. So why Elixir again? • In my head it isn’t

   that big a step from python/ ruby to elixir • Community is great

9. hello.erl • ruby like syntax • I’ve found that elixir

   takes a lot of things from ruby

10. hello.erl • In Elixir 'def' is a function call •

    In Elixir ‘if’ is a function call too

11. Meta Programming! • Elixir embraces metaprogramming • To me this

    was scary and not at all native to my thinking. • Elixir is Macros, mostly

12. Elixir is Macros • …. mostly • Elixir uses macros

    to provide interfaces for expanding complex sets of instructions during compilation

13. Pattern Matching • In Elixir, the = sign doesn’t necessarily

    mean “set this variable equal to something else” • The realisation that it behaves differently based on the types involved

14. List Comprehensions • I <3 list comprehensions. Ruby doesn’t have

    them but python does. • I have found that Elixir often has better functions (such as those from List and Enum) which are more flexible.

15. Higher-Order Functions • Passing functions as arguments - it can

    be done in ruby and python. • Native and natural part of the language rather than an oddity.

16. I’m at the start • I am slowly learning Elixir

    • I have found it “exciting” • It takes a while to get into the headspace • Functional yet practical

17. What I want to learn next • Protocols • Sigils

    • Recursion
18. None