Which course should I pick!

Learning Questions & Discussions Resources Chat/Questions
22

I found those three courses, Erlang Master Class 1, Erlang Master Class 2, and Erlang Master Class 3 through YouTube search, and so far they are my favorite for Erlang.
All the three playlists are available at their YouTube channel.

The second playlist is done by the creator of the Erlang Joe Armstrong himself.

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23

Precisely, it’s a course with the language creator


24

So basically you guys recommend to start with Erlang using Kenth University Erlang master class? Also somebody recommended a free book on Erlang. Now I’m kind of having the idea that learning Erlang is important if I want to learn better about the processes and OTP.

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You can do pretty much using only Elixir and never touching Erlang, but if you use those three playlists, you’ll better grasp the ideas behind Concurreny and OTP (the things you told you wanna improve).
But if you wanna learn only the basics of Elixir, then Phoenix, then you should follow any of the 3 courses you mentioned (and I’m sorry I won’t be able to tell which one of these is the best, because I used none of these), and there is a book (actually 4 books series), called Phoenix inside out, which is great.

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26

that depends on what is your goal. We dont know more information about you except that topic.

I posted that course because of you want easier and quicker course. If you want to dive more you can learn erlang too. Erlang only makes you better developer. You dont lose anything.

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27

Erlang using Kent University Erlang master class

Note that the content has been reworked into two MOOCs:
Functional Programming in Erlang
Concurrent Programming in Erlang

The first one is entirely about (sequential) functional programming while the second one goes over the principles and techniques of concurrent programming that OTP is based on - while only taking you to the doorstep of OTP (i.e. you use gen_server at the end of the course). There still is room for a third course exploring the use of various OTP behaviours.

While Learn You Some Erlang is in Erlang, it’s knowledge is all based around the BEAM ecosystem which is what Elixir is based on.

On Erlang’s Syntax:

the syntax is only intimidating, it’s far from difficult.

Erlang is a fairly small language and should be simple enough to learn if you approach it with an open mind (and lots of people don’t). The benefit of learning functional and concurrent programming in Erlang is that it should give you a clean break from your existing PHP/Ruby mindset. Elixir’s Ruby-like syntax may lure you into treating it like Ruby - which it really isn’t. The typical challenges to learning a BEAM language are:

  • Using pattern matching instead of conditionals
  • Using recursion instead of iteration (and by extension, using higher order functions)
  • Thinking concurrently

That being said having to learn Erlang can feel like the straw that breaks the camel’s back.

Learn Functional Programming with Elixir aims to teach functional programming in Elixir (i.e. no need to do it in Erlang). Elixir in Action progresses a bit quicker in order to cover the basics of concurrent programming and explore some of OTP - in way it feels like an Erlang (i.e. BEAM) book that happens to use Elixir - no Ruby-coloured glasses here.

Dave’s course doesn’t provide free lessons in an order, so I won’t be able to get an idea about how easier/harder the whole course is, although I got an idea from the free lessons and the titles of the paid lessons, that the course covers a lot of stuff.

So, I think the biggest risk here is that you start the course and that you find it too fast paced.

You’re a programmer, so you don’t need spoon feeding with the conventional drivel about “this is an integer.” No. You need to know what’s different, and you want to know quickly.

This pretty much sets the tone for what is expected of you. But given how well the course is reviewed here, the biggest risk is that you may have to pause and backfill some concepts before you return to it. So while the course may turn out to be “too much” in the short term, I find it hard to believe that it would be useless in the long term as long as you go back to it when you are ready.

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28

@peerreynders you are my idol. I feel like you know everything about programing industry. Being in same forum with you is pleasure for me

29

:blush:

I feel like you know everything about programming industry.

Sorry, I don’t mean to come across that way because I really don’t (I have opinions on lots of things). I have just happened to spend a lot of time and effort into learning functional programming (after being an OO die-hard) so I have come across a lot of stuff. Seems useful to share it when it seems appropriate.

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30

I would still like to know which course between Pragmatic Studio course or Dave Thomas course should I take after I spend some time in the free stuff at the provided links.

31

I’m on the same way. Looking what should I learn. I have read reviews on
https://pragmaticstudio.com/elixir#reviews and I will choose that course for myself. I looked on chapter names of both courses and Dave course looks like documentation.

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32

It’s one of the best courses out there :slight_smile:

See my review of it here for my thoughts:

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33

I was recently working on a free Elixir course at Prograils. Have a look: https://prograils.com/courses/elixir/ch/why-elixir-overview. It covers basic of Elixir language, but we have a plan to expand it in the future :wink: