Effective Programming in Scala course by Coursera. Simple review.

Effective Programming in Scala course by Coursera is one of the official learning paths, described on https://www.scala-lang.org/, one can take to learn and dive into scala language. The main outcome is that You should definetly try it but there is always some „but”.

Main things to do

Lectures

During the course You will watch short and very neat and straight down to the point lectures. This is always a given in every course. If i remember my long hours and the university i wonder how did i endure all that and why everything was so convoluted. Here we get everything short and sweet.

Coursera time frame

Somethimes it might feel very overwhelming looking at 1-3 month course to get something just started. On the other hand those courses are really build in a way You can do it faster, if You have the time. If You don`t the pace should not discourage You. Quick wins and small short simple steps just as in Kaizen philosophy. Why my school was never like that i will never understand ….

Interactive exercises

You clone the repository and follow the instructions in the code. You them implement methods and functions ??? while trying to run the tests. Obiously everything should be pasing 100 % 🙂 In addition You can verify the code using the coursera page.

This is the best !

There is a script that uploads the code to a proper repo and runs it so it will be graded automatically on Your account. It just makes everything a lot more simplet and easier to do. You actually have a fully workable app in the end, graded and checked if You achieved what was expected. Very neat indeed. I always look for courses with similar options.

Downsides

Somethimes the code can be seen very obfuscated or obscure, hard to understand where and what to do exactly. A lot of that is based on fitering, folding and using the build in functions of the scala language. It is a good place to at least get acquianted with those and do something with them.

Effective Programming in Scala course by Coursera list of pros and cons

• Comprehensive Course Content: Coursera offers Scala courses that cover a wide range of topics, from basic syntax to advanced functional programming concepts. A lot to go through in those couple of days / weeks.
• Interactive Learning: Incorporate interactive elements like quizzes, coding exercises, and projects to reinforce learning and provide hands-on experience with Scala programming.
• Flexibility: Coursera allows You to study at their own pace, offering both self-paced courses and those with start and end dates. Flexibility makes it easier for learners to fit it into Your schedules.
• Expert Instructors: Taught by experienced instructors who are experts in the field. You learn the best practices from the start.
• Community Support: Discussion forums, where You can ask questions, share insights, and collaborate on projects.
• Certification: Completing Scala courses on Coursera often results in a certification, which can be a valuable asset.
• Practical Projects: Include real-world projects or case studies why learning.
• Continued Learning: A lot of courses if You want to dive more deeply into any subject.