A quick easy guide to basic Elixir syntax
What you will learn
Basic Syntax of Elixir, Variables, IO puts, commenting, concatenations, Data Types
Strings
Math
User Input
Decision-Making, Relational & Logical Operators
Lists, Tuples & Maps
Enumberables
Modules & Functions
Loops
Description
In this course, I’ll be explaining simple concepts of coding in Elixir. You’ll learn all the basics: printing to screen, creating variables, getting using input, doing simple math, conditionals, lists, enums, etc. This is a simple steady-paced course that can be effective for anyone who has an interest in coding in Elixir. You could be someone with experience in another language or someone entirely new to coding.
I’ll be teaching using an online IDE, called replit, which serves its purpose great. You can sign-up for free, create a repl, and start following along with the lectures in a few minutes.
“Elixir” is used by many companies, for example, Adobe, Discord, Moz, and the Financial Times. It has many applications, and in this course, we’ll be sticking to the basics.
I will be explaining code snippets and there will be a link to the repl that I’m discussing in the lecture resources. You can then fork it, and change the names and arguments in the code to come up with additional examples for each concept. Or you can use copy/paste.
This course is a beginner-friendly breeze and will allow anyone to effectively grasp the core concepts of Elixir in just a short amount of time.
Content
Course Overview
- This course offers a streamlined introduction to Elixir, a dynamic, functional language designed for building scalable and maintainable applications.
- Dive into the core tenets of functional programming, understanding concepts like immutability and pure functions that underpin Elixir’s elegance.
- Explore Elixir’s unique approach to concurrency, leveraging the robust Erlang Virtual Machine (BEAM) for fault-tolerant and distributed systems.
- From initial setup to writing your first functional programs, this guide demystifies Elixir’s syntax and powerful features.
- Lay a solid foundation for developing high-performance, concurrent software, ready to tackle modern computing challenges.
Requirements / Prerequisites
- A fundamental grasp of basic programming logic, such as variables, control flow, and functions, from any prior language experience.
- Comfortable operating within a command-line interface for executing commands and managing project files.
- An open mind and readiness to embrace a new, powerful programming paradigmβfunctional programming.
- Access to a personal computer with a stable internet connection and administrative privileges for installing necessary software.
Skills Covered / Tools Used
- Mastering fundamental functional programming paradigms and their practical application in Elixir.
- Gaining insights into the actor model and lightweight process communication for building concurrent systems.
- Utilizing Mix, Elixir’s build tool, for project creation, dependency management, and task automation.
- Engaging with IEx, the interactive Elixir shell, for rapid prototyping, experimentation, and learning.
- Introduction to basic testing methodologies using ExUnit to write robust and verifiable code.
- Developing effective debugging strategies for identifying and resolving issues in Elixir applications.
- Navigating and leveraging Elixir’s extensive official documentation and community resources for self-help and continuous learning.
Benefits / Outcomes
- Achieve proficiency in writing clean, idiomatic, and highly concurrent Elixir code that is easy to read and maintain.
- Develop a strong theoretical and practical understanding of fault-tolerant system design, a hallmark of the BEAM ecosystem.
- Be well-prepared to transition into more advanced Elixir topics, including web development with the Phoenix Framework.
- Cultivate a problem-solving mindset rooted in functional principles, applicable beyond Elixir to various programming challenges.
- Gain the confidence and foundational knowledge to contribute effectively to Elixir-based projects and communities.
- Unlock the potential to build scalable, resilient backend services and distributed applications.
PROS
- Approachable for new learners: Elixir’s modern, clear syntax and powerful tooling simplify the initial learning curve, making complex concepts accessible.
- Hands-on, practical approach: The course emphasizes practical application, ensuring learners can immediately translate theoretical knowledge into working code.
- Comprehensive foundational knowledge: It thoroughly covers essential Elixir concepts, preparing you for more advanced topics and real-world projects.
- Future-proof skills acquisition: Gain valuable expertise in concurrent and fault-tolerant system design, highly sought after in today’s distributed computing landscape.
- Engaging and clear instruction: Content is structured to provide lucid explanations, making potentially challenging functional and concurrent paradigms understandable.
CONS
- Requires a shift in thinking: Programmers accustomed to imperative or object-oriented paradigms might initially find the functional approach and emphasis on immutability a significant conceptual leap.