Scala Advanced, Part 1 - The Scala Type System from Udemy

Scala Advanced, Part 1

The Escalate Software Scala Advanced course is intended for experienced Scala developers looking to improve their skills, particularly for library and API design and development. It covers topics needed to be effective in producing high quality, correct, powerful and flexible Scala libraries that are still easy to use by others.

Part 1 provides in depth and thorough knowledge of the Scala type system, an important precursor to any library development. We start off with a look at the dangers, and safe use, of mutable shared state in Scala, covering properties and caching. From there we delve into the Scala type system including:

Generics
Co- and Contra-Variance
Upper and Lower Bounds
Type Inference
Type Parameters and Type Members
Path Dependent Types
Refinement Types
Structural Types
Recursive Types
F-bounded Polymorphism

The final two modules then move on to the secondary Implicits type system that augments the regular Scala type system, covering:

Simple Implicit Parameters
Type Classes
Implicit classes, objects and methods
Type Class Composition
Implicit Constraints
=:= and <:<
Implicit Class and Type Tags
Implicit Conversions
extends AnyVal

And more.

After completing this course you will understand the Scala type system in a way that lets you construct your own well designed APIs, reason about type abstraction and calculus, apply implicit constraints and augment the language rules, and much more.

Parts 2 and 3 (available separately) cover topics like best practices, idioms, patterns, advanced functional programming, asynchronous programming, parser-combinators, macros, performance profiling and optimization, and much more. These parts rely on information presented during this advanced part 1 course.

What's inside

Syllabus

Get ready to take the Scala Advanced Part 1 course

Introduction

Agenda

Setting up the Java JDK

Please download the zip file attached to this lecture, then follow the video to unpack it and import it into IntelliJ IDEA

Test your understanding of Scala generic type parameters, variance and upper/lower bounds.

Rounding out your knowledge of the Scala type system.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Focuses on library and API design, which is essential for experienced Scala developers aiming to build high-quality and flexible Scala libraries

Requires learners to set up Java JDK, Scala, SBT, and IntelliJ IDEA, which are standard tools in the Scala development environment

Covers advanced topics like F-bounded polymorphism and implicit constraints, which are useful for advanced type-level programming and library design

Is part 1 of a series, and parts 2 and 3 rely on the information presented in this course, so learners should consider taking the entire series

Reviews summary

Deep dive into scala types and implicits

According to learners, this course offers a deep and thorough exploration of the Scala type system and Implicits, making it highly valuable for experienced developers looking to design robust libraries and APIs. Students find the content, particularly on variance, path-dependent types, and Type Classes, to be eye-opening and necessary knowledge. However, learners frequently note the course is very challenging and assumes a significant prior Scala experience, potentially beyond just 'experienced'. The lectures are dense and move at a fast pace, leading some to find the explanations hard to follow or feel like drinking from a firehose. While the instructor is seen as knowledgeable, some wished for more practical use cases or additional exercises and supplementary materials.

Content-rich lectures but move quickly.

"Needed to rewatch lectures multiple times."

"The lectures are dense but thorough."

"The pace is high, assume you know the basics cold."

"The content is good, but the delivery could be better. Some lectures were hard to follow."

Excellent detail on complex Scala types.

"This course really solidified my understanding of the Scala type system, especially variance and path-dependent types."

"Excellent deep dive into advanced Scala types and implicits... The modules on Type Classes and implicit resolution were particularly valuable for library design."

"Good coverage of advanced type topics. The section on F-bounded polymorphism was eye-opening."

"Fantastic resource for truly understanding Scala's type system and implicits for library building... This is necessary knowledge for writing robust Scala code."

Could benefit from more practice.

"Code examples are helpful, but I sometimes wished there were more exercises."

"I struggled to apply them without more challenging exercises."

"Would benefit from a few more practical use cases."

"the materials provided were just code examples; some written summaries or further reading suggestions would have been useful."

Very challenging, assumes significant prior skill.

"Requires prior Scala experience for sure."

"This is NOT for beginners. If you're comfortable with intermediate Scala, this will push you."

"Assumes a very strong background, maybe more advanced than 'experienced' developers."

"Way too advanced for me, even though I thought I was experienced. The explanations were hard to follow... Felt like drinking from a firehose."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Scala Advanced, Part 1 - The Scala Type System with these activities:

Review Basic Scala Syntax

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Refresh your understanding of basic Scala syntax to ensure a solid foundation for the advanced concepts covered in the course.

Browse courses on Scala

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Review the official Scala documentation on basic syntax.
Complete basic Scala tutorials on platforms like Scala Exercises.
Write small Scala programs to practice syntax.

Read 'Programming in Scala'

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Review 'Programming in Scala' to solidify your understanding of the core concepts and syntax of the Scala language.

View Programming in Scala on Amazon

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Read the chapters related to types, generics, and implicits.
Work through the examples and exercises in the book.
Compare the book's explanations with the course materials.

Practice with Generics and Variance

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Reinforce your understanding of generics and variance through targeted practice exercises.

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Solve coding problems involving generic types and variance annotations.
Experiment with different variance types (co-, contra-, and invariant) in Scala.
Analyze existing Scala code that makes use of generics and variance.

Four other activities

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Create a Blog Post on Type Classes

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Solidify your understanding of type classes by explaining the concept in a blog post.

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Research and gather information on Scala type classes.
Write a clear and concise explanation of type classes with examples.
Publish the blog post on a platform like Medium or a personal blog.
Share the blog post with the Scala community for feedback.

Implement a Type-Safe Data Structure

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Apply your knowledge of the Scala type system to build a robust and type-safe data structure.

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Design the data structure with specific type constraints and invariants.
Implement the data structure using advanced type system features.
Write unit tests to ensure type safety and correctness.
Document the design choices and implementation details.

Read 'Scala Cookbook'

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Consult the 'Scala Cookbook' for practical examples of using advanced type system features.

View Scala Cookbook: Recipes for Object-Oriented and... on Amazon

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Browse the cookbook for recipes related to generics, implicits, and type classes.
Adapt the cookbook examples to your own projects.
Experiment with different solutions to the same problem.

Contribute to a Scala Library

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Deepen your understanding of the Scala type system by contributing to an open-source Scala library.

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Find an open-source Scala library that interests you.
Identify an issue or feature request that you can contribute to.
Implement the solution using advanced type system features.
Submit a pull request with your changes.
Respond to feedback from the library maintainers.

Career center

Learners who complete Scala Advanced, Part 1 - The Scala Type System will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Scala Developer

A Scala Developer specializes in using the Scala programming language to build software applications. Since this course is intended for experienced Scala developers looking to improve their skills, the content is likely very relevant to a Scala developer's daily work. This course provides in-depth knowledge of the Scala type system, which is critical for producing high-quality, correct, powerful, and flexible Scala libraries. Mastering topics like generics, variance, type inference, and implicit parameters allows the Scala developer to write better code. This course is a useful step forward for a working Scala developer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Scala Developer

Library Developer

A Library Developer creates reusable components and modules that other developers can incorporate into their projects. As this course is intended for experienced Scala developers looking to improve their skills, particularly for library and API design and development, a library developer would find it directly aligned with their career goals. Concepts covered, like generics, variance, type inference, and implicit parameters, are useful when designing robust and easy-to-use libraries. This focus helps the library developer create robust, well-documented, and easily maintainable libraries.

See salaries and explore the career path for Library Developer

API Developer

An API Developer designs and implements Application Programming Interfaces that allow different software systems to communicate. This course is directly relevant, as it is intended for experienced Scala developers looking to improve their skills, particularly for library and API design and development. The course covers the Scala type system in depth, teaching you how to construct well designed APIs, reason about type abstraction and calculus, and apply implicit constraints. This training provides the API developer with skills to create robust and easy-to-use APIs.

See salaries and explore the career path for API Developer

Software Engineer

A Software Engineer designs, develops, and tests software applications. This course helps improve skills related to library and API design and development using Scala. The course provides in-depth knowledge of the Scala type system, which is useful for producing high quality, correct, powerful, and flexible Scala libraries. Mastering generics, variance, type inference, and implicit parameters, as covered in this course, allows the software engineer to write more robust and maintainable code. If you want to enhance your Scala skills and understanding of type systems, this is a great opportunity.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Application Developer

An Application Developer builds and maintains software applications for computers and other devices. This course helps refine API design and development skills within Scala. It covers the Scala type system in detail, including topics like generics, variance, and implicit parameters. The course allows the application developer to construct well-designed APIs, reason about type abstraction and calculus, and apply implicit constraints. Understanding how to use Scala's type system to create effective and maintainable applications may dramatically improve one's prospects as an application developer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Application Developer

Functional Programmer

A Functional Programmer uses functional programming paradigms to build robust and scalable applications. This course helps deepen your understanding of the Scala type system, which is essential for effective functional programming in Scala. The course helps the functional programmer construct well-designed APIs, reason about type abstraction and calculus, and apply implicit constraints. The course enhances the functional programmer's ability to leverage Scala's type system for building efficient, maintainable, and predictable applications.

See salaries and explore the career path for Functional Programmer

Software Architect

A Software Architect is responsible for making high-level design choices and setting technical standards, including software coding standards, tools, and platforms. Since the course provides in-depth knowledge of the Scala type system, it helps produce high quality, correct, powerful, and flexible Scala libraries. The course specifically focuses on the Scala type system. It is imperative for software architects to be aware of the effect of language features and constructs on system design. An architect will find this learning particularly valuable.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Architect

Backend Developer

A Backend Developer focuses on the server-side logic and databases that power applications. This course may be useful in enhancing your skills in developing powerful and flexible Scala libraries, as well as improve code quality. With thorough knowledge of the Scala type system, you can reason about type abstraction and calculus, apply implicit constraints, and augment the language rules. This course helps backend developers create robust and scalable server-side applications. The course's attention to detail and understanding of Scala's type system and implicits can lead to the better construction of APIs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Backend Developer

Systems Programmer

A Systems Programmer works on low-level software that supports applications. This course provides knowledge of the Scala type system, mutable shared state, and the secondary implicits type system. Understanding these concepts is very useful for writing efficient and reliable systems-level code in Scala. Systems programmers are often responsible for creating libraries and utilities that other programmers use: a key topic of this course. If you wish to improve your skills, particularly for library and API design and development, this course may be of interest.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Programmer

Machine Learning Engineer

A Machine Learning Engineer develops and deploys machine learning models and algorithms. This course helps improve your skills, particularly for library and API design and development when using Scala. The detailed knowledge of the Scala type system enables the machine learning engineer to build and maintain robust and scalable machine learning pipelines and frameworks. Concepts such as generics, variance, and implicit parameters, as taught in this course, can be applied when developing custom machine learning libraries or tools.

See salaries and explore the career path for Machine Learning Engineer

Technical Lead

A Technical Lead is responsible for guiding a team of developers and making key technical decisions. This course may be useful in enhancing your API design and development skills within Scala. The thorough knowledge of the Scala type system allows the technical lead to guide team members, enforce coding standards, and make informed decisions about technology choices. Understanding how to construct well-designed APIs and reason about type abstraction and calculus is paramount in this field. If you want to enhance your understanding of the Scala type system, this course may interest you.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Lead

Software Consultant

A Software Consultant advises organizations on how to best use software to achieve their business objectives. The course covers topics needed to be effective in producing high quality, correct, powerful and flexible Scala libraries that are still easy to use by others. Having a strong understanding of the Scala type system enables the software consultant to suggest effective development strategies, guide architectural decisions, and ensure maintainable codebases. It is important for software consultants to maintain current and relevant information. If you want to enhance your Scala skills, this might interest you.

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Data Engineer

A Data Engineer designs, builds, and maintains the infrastructure for data storage, processing, and analysis. This course may be useful in enhancing your ability to produce high-quality, correct, powerful, and flexible applications in Scala. You will understand the Scala type system in a way that allows you reason about type abstraction and calculus, apply implicit constraints, and augment the language rules. This ensures the robustness and maintainability of data pipelines and processing frameworks. If you want to enhance your Scala skills, this might be of interest.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Engineer

Software Development Engineer in Test

A Software Development Engineer in Test develops and executes automated tests to ensure software quality. This course covers topics that enable one to produce high quality, correct, powerful, and flexible Scala libraries. A deep understanding of the Scala type system can assist in writing more effective unit tests, integration tests, and property-based tests. The training on Scala properties and mutable state, as well as the Scala type system parts 1, 2, and 3, may improve the quality of tests.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Development Engineer in Test

DevOps Engineer

A DevOps Engineer automates and streamlines software development and deployment processes. This course may be useful to one who aims to improve their skills, particularly regarding library and API design and development. The course covers topics needed to be effective in producing high quality, correct, powerful and flexible Scala libraries that are still easy to use by others. A DevOps Engineer might be involved in building tools and automation scripts using Scala, where understanding the type system and API design proves useful.

See salaries and explore the career path for DevOps Engineer

Scala Advanced, Part 1 - The Scala Type System

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Reviews summary

Deep dive into scala types and implicits

Activities

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