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How much Functional is 'Functional Programming in Scala' ?

 
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Hi,

I am getting books in Scala most of which is trying to teach Scala to a guy coming from Object Oriented background.
Either there are references as to 'this is the way you would do it Java and here is how how you do it in Scala'.
Or there would be a mix and match of both the paradigms.
I am not saying they are not required but if Scala pushes you program functionally, then better make resources think functionally right from the word go.

So I come back to my question is this a completely 'Functional' book in the sense it actually teaches you program in Scala only from the functional perspective.
If that is the case I am truly looking forward to it.

Regards,
Anujit
 
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HI Anujit, the book is definitely about using Scala as the vehicle for purely functional programming. In many ways, the book is not 'about' Scala, we are just using Scala as the vehicle for teaching FP, though you will certainly learn Scala as a consequence of working through the book. That said, though our main goal is teaching FP, when we introduce new concepts / techniques, etc, where it makes sense we try to motivate and relate these things for someone coming from a more traditional OO background. Many of the part 1 chapters are 'relearning' the functional way of doing something that people already know how to do in imperative programming, and we definitely try to make the connection that although FP is different, it is not totally disconnected from what you already know. Parts 2-4 get into territory where there isn't as much of an analogue to other types of programming - much of that will be specific to FP and very new to people.

You can check out the preface (free online, along with chapter 1) here: http://manning.com/bjarnason/FPiS_meap_ch01.pdf It talks about what the goals of the book are, who the audience is, and how it is organized.
 
Anujit Chatterjee
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Hi Paul,

I went through the sample chapter and more importantly the preface.
I must say I am excited .
The coverage seems good enough although I would have liked to see a bit more on Testing.
The important part here is functional programming and Scala is a just a helping language to teach the paradigm.
Since the examples are also there in github, cross checking of whatever is 'going in' can also be done.
This also helps since I am also trying my hands on Erlang as well.
Thanks a lot and looking forward to the complete text.

Regards,
Anujit
 
With a little knowledge, a cast iron skillet is non-stick and lasts a lifetime.
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