We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.

Functional Programming Principles in Scala

Functional programming is becoming increasingly widespread in industry. This trend is driven by the adoption of Scala as the main programming language for many applications. Scala fuses functional and object-oriented programming in a practical package. It interoperates seamlessly with both Java and Javascript. Scala is the implementation language of many important frameworks, including Apache Spark, Kafka, and Akka. It provides the core infrastructure for sites such as Twitter, Netflix, Zalando, and also Coursera.

In this course, you will discover the elements of the functional programming style and learn how to apply them usefully in your daily programming tasks, such as modeling business domains or implementing business logic. You will also develop a solid foundation for reasoning about functional programs, by touching upon proofs of invariants and the tracing of execution symbolically.

The course is hands-on; most units introduce short programs that serve as illustrations of important concepts and invite you to play with them, modifying and improving them. The course is complemented by a series of programming projects as homework assignments.

Recommended background: You should have at least one year of programming experience. Proficiency with Java or C# is ideal, but experience with other languages such as C/C++, Python, Javascript, or Ruby is also sufficient. You should have some background in mathematics (e.g., algebra, logic, proof by induction). Last, you should have some familiarity with using the command line.

Enroll now

Or subscribe to Coursera Plus

And get unlimited access to Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

Getting Started + Functions & Evaluation

Get up and running with Scala on your computer. Complete an example assignment to familiarize yourself with our unique way of submitting assignments. In this week, we'll learn the difference between functional imperative programming. We step through the basics of Scala; covering expressions, evaluation, conditionals, functions, and recursion

Higher Order Functions

This week, we'll learn about functions as first-class values, and higher order functions. We'll also learn about Scala's syntax and how it's formally defined. Finally, we'll learn about methods, classes, and data abstraction through the design of a data structure for rational numbers.

Data and Abstraction

This week, we'll cover traits, and we'll learn how to organize classes into hierarchies. We'll cover the hierarchy of standard Scala types, and see how to organize classes and traits into packages. Finally, we'll touch upon the different sorts of polymorphism in Scala.

Types and Pattern Matching

This week we'll learn about the relationship between functions and objects in Scala; functions *are* objects! We'll zoom in on Scala's type system, covering subtyping and generics, and moving on to more advanced aspects of Scala's type system like variance. Finally, we'll cover Scala's most widely used data structure, Lists, and one of Scala's most powerful tools, pattern matching.

Lists

This week we dive into Lists, the most commonly-used data structure in Scala.

Collections

After a deep-dive into Lists, this week we'll explore other data structures; vectors, maps, ranges, arrays, and more. We'll dive into Scala's powerful and flexible for-comprehensions for querying data.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores functional programming, which is standard in Scala industry applications

Teaches functional programming principles and their practical uses

Develops a solid foundation for reasoning about functional programs through proofs of invariants and symbolic execution tracing

Taught by Martin Odersky, who is recognized for his work in Scala

Provides hands-on experience through short programs and programming projects

Recommended for experienced programmers who are proficient in Java or C#

Save this course

Save Functional Programming Principles in Scala to your list so you can find it easily later:

Save

Reviews summary

Scala functional programming

learners say Martin Odersky, the creator of Scala, teaches this largely positive, challenging course on functional programming and the Scala programming language. It begins with fundamental concepts then dives into advanced and engaging assignments that require abstract problem solving using recursion and immutability. Videos are clear, but some early assignments are difficult and may require additional research. Students with an OOP background or experience with algorithms may find this course easier. It's recommended for those seeking a deep understanding of functional concepts and how to effectively code in Scala.

This course is academically rigorous and requires a solid understanding of programming fundamentals. Assignments are complex and time-consuming, but they provide valuable learning experiences.

"It is mentioned that it is only necessary to have at least one year of experience in a programming language, however, it does not mention that you must have a solid base in arithmetic, all the examples are associated in a very general way but with great complexity that is not clarified."

"It is expected to have a Computer Science background and the assignments are not easy at all."

"The 1+ year programming experience prerequisite is a little loose but is technically correct."

"Mixed feelings.... The course seems to have been a bit botched upon several updates as the material is almost 10 years old."

"I would echo the other reviews about how it took a long time to get the environment set up."

Odersky, the course instructor, is Scala's creator. His lessons go beyond theory to include insights into the language's inner workings.

"The best course for learning Scala and Functional Programming! Taught by the creator himself, this course is for everyone who wants to learn Scala and understand prinicples of FP which makes up Scala's elegance."

"I had a little of expirience in programming(3 month). So, It was not very simple. Good part of this course is the clearness and lucidity of exercises. I took another Scala course after that and there was a diificulty to understand what should I do. In this course there is no such problem. The main problem here is programming, not analysis. Recomend this course to all."

Weekly programming assignments are challenging and time-consuming, but they provide valuable practice and help reinforce the concepts learned in the videos.

"Programming assignments complement the course material and are much harder than your typical MOOC assignments."

"Definitely NOT a beginner course on programming or algorithms."

"This course did a great job of pragmatically demonstrating principles in functional programming."

"Wow!The course is really challenging and force you to think in a functional way."

"Amazing course. After this course, Scala is my new favorite programming language."

"The course could be very interesting for those, who have not been thinking of solving problems in the way Functional Programming approaches problems."

"Really good course. Only point of criticism would be that sometimes the level of detail in the explanation of the assignments is a little low."

"I had a little of expirience in programming(3 month). So, It was not very simple."

The course emphasizes functional programming principles and provides a strong foundation in concepts such as recursion, immutability, and higher-order functions.

"This was a fascinating course in Scala and functional programming."

"That was a fascinating course in Scala and functional programming."

"The best course for learning Scala and Functional Programming!"

"This course was excellent. This was my first attempt at learning functional programming after having spent the past 13 years doing OO programming and the 3 years before that doing procedural programming and it was much more challenging than I expected."

"This course was more focused on computer science as I had anticipated, and less on working with Scala as a language to build e.g. an application."

"This course is very challenging for those uninitiated in data structures and algorithms."

"I wanted to get more familiar with functional programming paradigms for a long time and I know that Scala is a mighty programming language."

"The course starts slow and might appear to teach trivial concepts at the start but don't be fooled."

Taught by the creator of Scala, Martin Odersky, this course provides a unique opportunity to learn from a pioneer in the field. His clear explanations and passion for the subject are evident throughout.

"A great experience! The lectures are concise while illustrating core concepts very well."

"Excellent course to get started with Scala and make start with learning a completely different way of thinking (I have a Java background)."

"I also got a basic understanding of Scala and the intention of the founder, and I also got application example through not easy assignment."

"Amazing, changed my mindset and improved my programming skills with another approach totally different."

"This was an eye opener to the world of functional thinking."

"This course has subjects explained i a very simple fashion however it touches some advanced topics, some others require problem solving using especial styles like immutability and recursion, because of that it may be a better fit for some with at least 1 year of practice."

"I had been knowing about functional programming since my college days."

"The programming assignments complement the course material and are much harder than your typical MOOC assignments."

Setting up your environment and completing early assignments can be challenging for those new to Scala or functional programming. Be prepared for a steep learning curve and the need for supplemental research.

"0.I have long since learned that the autocoders utilized are probably the worst pieces of software ever written."

"In general course is good. It gives the basics of functional programming paradigm. However most of the tasks are incredibly difficult, It takes a lot of time to look for external resources to solve the assignment."

"I've tried to take the course and have already completed 3 assignments. I have to say that I still do not understand how to code basic stuffs on scala."

"I have been programming in Java over the past few years. So, when I first encountered Scala code at work earlier this year, I was under the impression that I could just go through other developer's code in my project codebase and learn the basics of Scala."

"I am sorry to give this mark, guys. But I am a little disappointedTo start with I spent more than a week installing the programs."

"My background: Physics PhD, background in Matlab and some limited Python. Brief review: A decent course, very difficult at first but gets fun, especially the final Anagram assignment. Expect it to take longer than the estimated time if you're not familiar with Java. Could do with more examples in lectures to drill home tools introduced. Verbose Course Review: I found the learning curve on the first few weeks very steep coming from non-java background, and the references to java methods and types weren't helpful."

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 Functional Programming Principles in Scala with these activities:

Read "Scala Cookbook"

Show steps

Review key concepts and best practices in Scala programming to lay a strong foundation for the course.

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

Show steps

Purchase or borrow the book.
Read the introduction and first two chapters to familiarize yourself with the basics of Scala.
Complete one to two exercises from each chapter to practice applying the concepts.
Take notes on important concepts and make connections to your current knowledge of programming.

Build a Tic-Tac-Toe game in Scala

Show steps

Apply functional programming principles to design and implement a classic game, solidifying understanding of Scala concepts.

Browse courses on Object-Oriented Programming

Show steps

Design the game logic and classes.
Implement the game loop.
Add user input handling.
Test and debug the game.

Solve Scala coding challenges on LeetCode

Show steps

Enhance problem-solving skills and gain practical experience in applying Scala to solve coding challenges.

Browse courses on Algorithms

Show steps

Select a set of LeetCode problems relevant to the course topics.
Attempt to solve the problems on your own.
Check your solutions against the provided test cases or community discussions.
Review your solutions and identify areas for improvement.

Three other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all six activities

Attend a workshop on Scala's Interoperability with Java and JavaScript

Show steps

Gain hands-on experience in integrating Scala with other popular programming languages used in industry.

Browse courses on Java Interoperability

Show steps

Identify and register for a workshop on Scala interoperability.
Attend the workshop and actively participate in the exercises.
Experiment with the concepts covered in the workshop in your own projects.

Write a blog post on Higher Order Functions in Scala

Show steps

Deepen understanding of higher order functions by explaining and providing examples in a written format.

Browse courses on Higher Order Functions

Show steps

Choose a specific aspect of higher order functions to focus on.
Research and gather relevant information from the course materials and external sources.
Write an outline of the blog post.
Draft the blog post, including examples and explanations.
Review and edit the blog post for clarity and accuracy.

Design a RESTful API for a library management system

Show steps

Apply Scala's capabilities for building web applications to design and document an API for a real-world scenario.

Browse courses on RESTful API

Show steps

Define the requirements and use cases for the API.
Design the data model and API endpoints.
Create a prototype or mock implementation of the API.
Document the API using OpenAPI or Swagger.

Career center

Learners who complete Functional Programming Principles in Scala will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Functional Programmer

Functional Programmers work in a programming style that focuses on the mathematical evaluation of expressions. They have a deep understanding of how functions work and how to apply them in practical applications. This course in 'Functional Programming Principles in Scala' will provide you with the foundation you need to become a successful Functional Programmer. You will learn the basics of Scala, including expressions, evaluation, conditionals, functions, and recursion. You will also learn about higher order functions, data abstraction, types, and pattern matching. This course is hands-on, with most units introducing short programs that serve as illustrations of important concepts. You will also complete a series of programming projects as homework assignments.

See salaries and explore the career path for Functional Programmer

Software Engineer

Software Engineers apply the principles of computer science and software design to the creation of computer programs. They use their knowledge of programming languages, algorithms, and data structures to design, develop, test, and maintain software systems. This course in 'Functional Programming Principles in Scala' will help you build a strong foundation in functional programming, which is becoming increasingly widespread in industry. You will learn the elements of the functional programming style and how to apply them usefully in your daily programming tasks. You will also develop a solid foundation for reasoning about functional programs. Functional programming is a valuable skill for Software Engineers to have, as it can help them write more efficient and maintainable code.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Data Scientist

Data Scientists use their knowledge of statistics, machine learning, and data mining to extract insights from data. They use this information to help businesses make better decisions. This course in 'Functional Programming Principles in Scala' will help you build a strong foundation in functional programming, which is a valuable skill for Data Scientists to have. Functional programming can help Data Scientists write more efficient and maintainable code. It can also help them to better understand the data they are working with.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Web Developer

Web Developers design and develop websites. They use their knowledge of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to create websites that are both visually appealing and functional. This course in 'Functional Programming Principles in Scala' may be useful for Web Developers who want to learn more about functional programming. Functional programming can help Web Developers write more efficient and maintainable code. It can also help them to better understand the data they are working with.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer

Computer Scientist

Computer Scientists conduct research on the theory and practice of computing. They develop new algorithms and data structures, and they design new programming languages. This course in 'Functional Programming Principles in Scala' may be useful for Computer Scientists who want to learn more about functional programming. Functional programming is a valuable skill for Computer Scientists to have, as it can help them to write more efficient and maintainable code.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Scientist

Quantitative Analyst

Quantitative Analysts use their knowledge of mathematics, statistics, and computer science to develop and implement mathematical models to help businesses make better decisions. This course in 'Functional Programming Principles in Scala' may be useful for Quantitative Analysts who want to learn more about functional programming. Functional programming can help Quantitative Analysts write more efficient and maintainable code. It can also help them to better understand the data they are working with.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quantitative Analyst

Systems Analyst

Systems Analysts design, develop, and implement computer systems. They use their knowledge of computer hardware and software to create systems that meet the needs of businesses. This course in 'Functional Programming Principles in Scala' may be useful for Systems Analysts who want to learn more about functional programming. Functional programming can help Systems Analysts write more efficient and maintainable code. It can also help them to better understand the data they are working with.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Analyst

Database Administrator

Database Administrators are responsible for the design, implementation, and maintenance of databases. They use their knowledge of database management systems to ensure that databases are reliable, efficient, and secure. This course in 'Functional Programming Principles in Scala' may be useful for Database Administrators who want to learn more about functional programming. Functional programming can help Database Administrators write more efficient and maintainable code. It can also help them to better understand the data they are working with.

See salaries and explore the career path for Database Administrator

Technical Writer

Technical Writers create documentation for software and hardware products. They use their knowledge of technical writing principles and software development to create documentation that is clear, concise, and accurate. This course in 'Functional Programming Principles in Scala' may be useful for Technical Writers who want to learn more about functional programming. Functional programming can help Technical Writers write more efficient and maintainable code. It can also help them to better understand the data they are working with.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer

Project Manager

Project Managers plan, organize, and execute projects. They use their knowledge of project management principles and software development to ensure that projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality. This course in 'Functional Programming Principles in Scala' may be useful for Project Managers who want to learn more about functional programming. Functional programming can help Project Managers write more efficient and maintainable code. It can also help them to better understand the data they are working with.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Business Analyst

Business Analysts analyze business processes and identify opportunities for improvement. They use their knowledge of business analysis techniques and software development to develop solutions that meet the needs of businesses. This course in 'Functional Programming Principles in Scala' may be useful for Business Analysts who want to learn more about functional programming. Functional programming can help Business Analysts write more efficient and maintainable code. It can also help them to better understand the data they are working with.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Software Tester

Software Testers test software applications to find and fix bugs. They use their knowledge of software testing principles and software development to develop test cases that will thoroughly test software applications. This course in 'Functional Programming Principles in Scala' may be useful for Software Testers who want to learn more about functional programming. Functional programming can help Software Testers write more efficient and maintainable code. It can also help them to better understand the data they are working with.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Tester

Network Administrator

Network Administrators design, implement, and maintain computer networks. They use their knowledge of networking principles and software development to create networks that are reliable, efficient, and secure. This course in 'Functional Programming Principles in Scala' may be useful for Network Administrators who want to learn more about functional programming. Functional programming can help Network Administrators write more efficient and maintainable code. It can also help them to better understand the data they are working with.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Administrator

Database Engineer

Database Engineers design, implement, and maintain databases. They use their knowledge of database management systems and software development to create databases that are reliable, efficient, and secure. This course in 'Functional Programming Principles in Scala' may be useful for Database Engineers who want to learn more about functional programming. Functional programming can help Database Engineers write more efficient and maintainable code. It can also help them to better understand the data they are working with.

See salaries and explore the career path for Database Engineer

Security Analyst

Security Analysts analyze security risks and develop security solutions. They use their knowledge of security principles and software development to develop security solutions that protect computer systems and networks from unauthorized access. This course in 'Functional Programming Principles in Scala' may be useful for Security Analysts who want to learn more about functional programming. Functional programming can help Security Analysts write more efficient and maintainable code. It can also help them to better understand the data they are working with.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Analyst

Reading list

We've selected 23 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Functional Programming Principles in Scala.

Programming in Scala

Save

Provides an in-depth look at advanced Scala topics, including functional programming concepts. It is written for experienced Scala programmers.

Functional Programming Principles in Scala

What's inside

Syllabus

Good to know

Save this course

Reviews summary

Scala functional programming

Activities

Career center

Reading list

Share

Similar courses