Scalability is one of the most essential and challenging aspects of programming. The capacity of a language to effectively handle a surge or reduction in workload or to create extensive programs effortlessly. This makes the system more flexible, diminishes maintenance expenses, and enhances the user experience. Therefore, programmers favor scalable programming languages. Scala stands is a widely adopted scalable programming language utilized by major platforms like Twitter and Netflix. In this blog post, we will share why you must learn the Scala programming language.
What is the Scala Programming Language?
Scala, introduced in 2004, is known for its exceptional scalability, a feature that inspired the language’s name. The Scala programming language is a versatile and scalable language for web programming. It is characterized as a programming language at a high level that incorporates both the widely adopted functional and object-oriented programming paradigms. The JavaScript and JVM runtimes strive to create high-performance systems while providing convenient access to extensive library ecosystems.
Reasons to Learn Scala Programming Language
Do you think that investing time and effort in learning Scala is worthwhile? In addition to the substantial demand for Scala developers and the attractive salaries associated with this field. Here are further reasons to consider why mastering Scala is a valuable pursuit:
- Multi-Paradigm Language
- Statically Typed Language
- Expressive Language
- Marketable
- Growing Framework
- Growing Community
- Impressive Industry Adoption
Multi-Paradigm Language
Scala is a bit differ as compare to Java, as it helps two programming paradigms functional programming (FP) and object-oriented programming (OOP). To improving in programming skills, acquiring proficiency in at least one language representing various paradigms like imperative, logical, practical, and object-oriented programming (OOP) is beneficial. Scala provides an opportunity to delve into both active and OOP concepts simultaneously. The Pragmatic Programmer book also suggests learning a new programming language each year. Scala enables you to define types linked to data attributes (similar to classes in C++/Java) and behavioral attributes (with traits akin to Java interfaces).
Statically Typed Language
Generally, statically typed languages like Java act as a safeguard to prevent programmers from making mistakes upfront, whereas in dynamic languages like Python, issues only surface when the program is executed. Scala strikes a balance, offering a vibrant feel while maintaining the robustness of strongly statically typed languages like Haskell or Java. The Scala compiler is highly intelligent, employing extensive type inference. It excels in inferring types for variables and functions, surpassing the limited type inference capabilities of languages like Java and C#. To delve deeper into Scala’s language features, consider exploring the book “Beginning Scala Programming.
Expressive Language
Scala outperforms Java as an expressive language when comparing Scala to Java. A wealth of exquisite and practical code written in Scala exists. This enticed many Java developers to delve into Scala due to their appreciation for such refined code. To illustrate, consider the word count program implemented in both Java and Scala. The contrast in language expressiveness becomes evident. Scala accomplishes in a single line what Java requires more than 10 lines to achieve. Java 8 features could enhance brevity on the Java side, although not applied in this example. Nevertheless, Scala consistently outshines Java in terms of concise and well-organized code.
Marketable
The desire for enhanced job opportunities and career advancement often drives one primary reason for learning a new technology or framework. Acquiring proficiency in Scala will undoubtedly improve your employability. Multiple organizations are currently adopting or transitioning to Scala, with notable examples like Twitter, Quora, LinkedIn, and Foursquare leading the way. With Scala being promoted as a language that scales effectively, it’s only time before significant investment banks and financial organizations consider adopting Scala for their low-latency solutions. Like the guidance in Effective Java, Twitter has shared best practices for programming in Scala as Effective Scala.
Growing Framework
Scala is experiencing substantial growth with the emergence of numerous valuable libraries and frameworks. The increasing number of companies incorporating Scala into their tech stacks is contributing significantly to its ascent as a mainstream programming language. Several noteworthy Scala web frameworks like Lift and Play have gained popularity. Additionally, Akka, a Scala-based concurrent framework, has solidified its position as a runtime and toolkit for constructing fault-tolerant, highly concurrent, and distributed event-driven applications on the Java Virtual Machine (JVM). Scala’s presence is notable in Big Data, utilized alongside Apache Spark. This synergy with Spark has increased adoption among Java developers interested in Big Data.
Growing Community
The Scala community is experiencing rapid growth, paralleling the expansion of its language. Many programmers, including those well-versed in Java, are enthusiastically adopting Scala. The language is witnessing the development of numerous frameworks and libraries while an increasing number of integrated development environments (IDEs) are incorporating support for Scala syntax. Eclipse and IntelliJIDEA, in particular, are notable for their enhanced backing of Scala. Additionally, Scala benefits from robust build tool support through SBT, Maven, and Ant. This surge in popularity is attributed, in part, to Scala’s unique capacity to combine the conciseness of dynamic languages like Python with features such as static typing, type inference, and a blend of functional and object-oriented programming paradigms.
Impressive Industry Adoption
Examining prominent programming surveys and rankings reveals that Scala consistently advances in its standings. According to the 2016 RedMonk Programming Language Ranking, which assesses the relationship between language discussions on Stack Overflow and their usage on GitHub, Scala occupies the 14th position, surpassing Swift by 3 places. GitHub statistics also show a continual increase in Scala’s popularity. However, the most compelling evidence supporting Scala’s appeal is its adoption by well-known brands such as The Guardian, Walmart, Intel, Samsung, Twitter, and LinkedIn. These adoption trends suggest that Scala holds promising prospects for the future, making it a worthwhile choice to align with this rising trend.
Final Words
Mastering the Scala programming language is a strategic decision for programmers seeking to elevate their skills and career prospects. With its multi-paradigm approach, blending object-oriented and functional programming, Scala offers a unique learning experience for developers. Its statically typed nature, expressiveness, and impressive industry adoption by significant brands underscore its relevance in the dynamic programming landscape. Scala continues to grow, supported by a thriving community and various frameworks. It proves to be a valuable asset for developers aiming to stay at the forefront of the evolving tech industry.
