The programming world is dynamic & changing as new methods and technology become available. A programming language that has gained more popularity recently is Scala.
Scala, which stands for Scalable language, is a high-level, multi-paradigm, general-purpose programming language that facilitates functional programming. Scala programs can be executed on the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) by converting them to bytecodes (Java Virtual Machine).
As a result, the Java and Scala stacks can function together without any problems. But how did it come into existence & how can it help you? In this MarsDevs article, we discuss it more!
So, let’s get started!
The official website explains, “Scala merged with object-oriented & functional programming in one concise, high-level language. Scala's static types avoid bugs in complex apps. Its JVM & JavaScript runtimes let you build high-performance systems with easy access to a huge library ecosystem.”
Most programmers would find Scala - a helpful language since it offers an unusual blend of features. It blends the tooling and environment of the Java language and virtual machine, the large-scale maintainability and performance of compiled languages, and the scripting languages' usual simplicity of use and conciseness.
Here are some more.
When it comes to data science and machine learning tasks, Scala has a clear advantage over Java. One benefit is that it easily interfaces with Apache Spark, a top big data analytics platform that offers functionality for batch and real-time data processing.
Despite having Java APIs, the Apache Spark framework is developed in Scala. Second, writing clear, concise code for intricate mathematical calculations—which are required in machine learning—is made simpler by Scala's functional programming characteristics. The robust type inference of the language facilitates the construction of algorithms and data transformation.
Furthermore, because machine learning algorithms sometimes need intricate state transformations, their emphasis on immutable data may facilitate reasoning and debugging. Additionally, Scala code tends to be less verbose than Java code, which might make the codebase simple to know & maintain.
Netflix developers praised Scala's numerous advantages as a massive choice for machine-learning workloads in a one-hour presentation they presented in 2019.
Even if it still has to catch up in popularity to other languages like JavaScript and Java, it is still a massively robust tool with numerous uses. Let’s uncover its hidden potential in programming.
Based on the Java virtual machine, Scala is a general-purpose programming language. What does that mean? It implies that Scala can develop massive data systems, write back-end code for mobile apps, and develop online applications and services. Also, you may do all of this in a single language!
A multi-paradigm functional language (functions are first-class citizens), Scala supports object-oriented and functional paradigms. Although it supports type inference, it includes static types, so you don't always need to declare your types (but you need to).
Although Scala is statically typed, it supports dynamic behavior via implicit and type classes, which are types that have behaviors associated with them.
The multi-paradigm language Scala facilitates both functional and object-oriented programming. Although it has a sophisticated type system based on polymorphism and type inference, the language is statically typed. Java bytecode or JavaScript source code is produced by compiling Scala.
Although Scala's static typing can occasionally feel constrictive, it also makes it possible for developers to accomplish more with less work since, unlike other languages in its class, Scala doesn't require intricate annotations. Writing code that uses the standard library, which was created with extensibility and modularity in mind—a crucial component of many contemporary applications—can benefit massively from this.
As developers explain, “Programming languages like Scala were created with the Java platform in mind. Because it is entirely object-oriented, all its types, like Java's, contain fields and methods.” Additionally, Scala is more potent than Java because of the following features:
Scala is suitable for various commercial sectors. It’s used in multiple industries, including retail, media, manufacturing, insurance, and finance. Applications for desktop, server & cloud computing use cases are created with Scala.
Additionally, it is extensively utilized in the development of applications for embedded systems (like Raspberry Pi), Internet of Things (IoT) gadgets like sensors and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and mobile devices (like Android).
Because Scala is a functional language, your code will be less prone to errors. Scala allows you to construct sophisticated algorithms & simpler ones that result in shorter, more readable code.
That’s why it’s well-liked by many big corporations.
Big data is what Netflix does. Its activities, driven by the Kafka messaging system, incorporate Scala and Akka. In summary, Scala is used by Netflix to power its big data platform. As Netflix developers exclaim, “The programming language can assist developers systems that need excessive throughput & low latency while maintaining fault tolerance.”
Uber's Big Data platform Michelangelo is powered by Scala. It is a programming language that powers the Big Data platform “Michelangelo.” Because Scala is a functional programming language that can represent programs as functional/mathematical equations.
Scala is extensively used by LinkedIn in its products. They utilize it for the Kafka messaging system, which allows real-time data streaming between locations. The LinkedIn Data Engineering team processes massive volumes of data and improves machine learning algorithms using Kafka and other Hadoop ecosystem technologies (such as Spark).
Programs written in Scala can be used on the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) for general-purpose computing. Scala is a computer language that elegantly and expressively blends object-oriented and functional programming. Businesses like Twitter, Netflix, LinkedIn, and Twitter employ this robust language to create easily maintained scalable software.
Because Scala provides lightweight threads that are much more efficient than using threads from Java or any other object-oriented languages that require synchronization between processes when accessing shared memory structures like lists or maps, you can use it with big data tools like Apache Spark, Apache Cassandra/Kafka without worrying about performance issues.
Try this language out if you have been seeking a means to sharpen your programming abilities and simplify your work. Are you in need of help? MarsDevs is there to assist you! Contact us at MarsDevs & we would be happy to help you build a high-performing Scala solution!
The programming language you use should support your objectives. Python pays more and is a more widely used language. Meanwhile, Scala requires object specification but is statically typed, making error detection faster.
If you know Java, learning Scala isn't that challenging. If you are unfamiliar with Java, you can pick up Scala principles rapidly if you are familiar with popular programming languages like C, C++, or Python.
Building modular, scalable, and quick software is carried out with Scala. To handle massive volumes of data seamlessly and effectively. Data engineers most frequently utilize it in conjunction with Apache Spark. Scala and Java stacks interact since Scala runs on JVM.
