What is Scala programming language, and how to learn it?

Jumping into the tech pool can be daunting. Especially if you are new to the programming world, with so many coding languages, it can be hard to choose the right one and start your professional journey. When searching for the best and most popular programming languages, one often sees the name “Scala” and wonders what this language does. 

Programmers often opt for Python and JavaScript for coding. However, Scala is quickly gaining popularity. During our research on the top languages for 2024, we noticed Scala appearing frequently in the discussions. Top tech companies like Netflix, Twitter, SoundCloud, and Airbnb use Scala as their programming language. The wide usage of Scala programming shows potential in learning the Scala language. 

This article discusses learning the Scala programming language and shares the best resources for learning It. Let’s get started.

What is Scala programming?#

The name Scala is derived from scalability. Scala is a high-level programming language that combines object-oriented and functional programming paradigms. It was designed to be concise, scalable, and type-safe. 

Scala is popular in various domains, including web development, data science, and distributed systems, due to its expressive syntax and strong type system. It is often used in big data frameworks like Apache Spark. Here are some key features of the Scala language:

• Scalability: As the name suggests, Scala is designed to be scalable. It can be used for small scripts as well as large-scale applications.

• Object-oriented and functional: Scala is suitable for both object-oriented and functional programming. This means we can use classes, objects, inheritance, functions as first-class citizens, immutability, and higher-order functions.

• Concurrency support: Scala supports concurrent programming through libraries like Akka, based on the Actor Model. This makes it easier to write highly scalable and concurrent applications.

Benefits of learning Scala#

Scala is a widely used programming language that can be a good fit for programmers who want to upgrade their skills. If you’re skeptical about learning Scala, here are a few benefits explaining why it can benefit your career. 

Easy syntax#

Scala syntax is designed to be concise, reducing boilerplate code. Once you get used to it, this can make code easier to read and write. Developers can write and read blocks of code in Scala very easily. In short, Scala syntax can be easy and enjoyable for many developers, especially those with prior programming experience.

Interoperability with Java#

Scala runs on the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) and is fully interoperable with Java. This means you can use Java libraries and frameworks directly in Scala, and Scala code can be called from Java.

Powerful type interference#

Scala has a powerful type inference system, which reduces the need for explicit type annotations, making the code more concise and readable. By default, Scala encourages immutability, which means that once a value is assigned to a variable, it cannot be changed. This leads to safer and more predictable code.

Suitable for beginners#

While prior coding experience is better than no coding experience in learning Scala, Scala is suitable for beginner coders. Scala is in demand as well, and its powerful library includes many utilities that can simplify programming tasks, making it easier for beginners to achieve their goals without extensive coding.

Scala uses#

Scala is a versatile language used in various domains due to its powerful features and ability to combine object-oriented and functional programming paradigms. Here are some common uses of Scala:

Big data processing#

Scala is widely used in big data frameworks, particularly Apache Spark. Spark’s ability to handle large-scale data processing, coupled with Scala’s concise syntax and functional programming capabilities, makes it a perfect match for data-intensive applications. 

Web development#

Scala is used for building web applications, often with the Play Framework, Play Framework provides a clean and RESTful design, ideal for modern web applications.

Distributed systems#

Scala’s concurrency features, like Akka, make it well-suited for building distributed systems. Akka is based on the Actor model, simplifying the development of highly concurrent and fault-tolerant systems.

Data science#

Scala is used in data science for data manipulation, statistical analysis, and machine learning. Libraries such as Breeze (for numerical processing) and Spark’s data processing capabilities make it a powerful tool for data scientists.

Is Scala still in demand?#

Scala is still very much in demand. It is a little niche-specific, but Scala is one of the highest-paying languages Stack Overflow Developer Survey 2022. (n.d.). Stack Overflow. https://survey.stackoverflow.co/2022/#work-salaryand is used by many top tech companies. One of the biggest drivers of Scala’s popularity is Apache Spark. Spark, a leading big data processing framework, is written in Scala, and many data engineers and data scientists use Scala to write Spark applications.

Scala is also often used for data processing tasks due to its strong type system and functional programming capabilities, which can lead to more robust and maintainable code.

How to learn Scala programming#

Educative has been working on providing valuable content for learners who want to upskill their skills. Now, you can learn Scala from scratch with Educative as well. Upgrade your knowledge and programming skills with more than 700 courses curated by industry experts.