This document provides an introduction to Erlang and Elixir. It discusses that Erlang is a modular, declarative language descended from Prolog, while Elixir is a modular, declarative language with meta programming facilities descended from Ruby. It also describes some key features of the Erlang virtual machine (VM) like concurrency, process linking, and immutable data. Additional topics covered include records, polymorphism, metaprogramming, downsides and upsides of each language, and how to provide feedback or contact the presenter.

1. AN INTRODUCTION TO
ERLANG AND ELIXIR
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2. WHAT IS ERLANG
Modular, Declarative Language who’s syntax descends from
prolog
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3. WHAT IS ELIXIR
Modular, Declarative language with meta programming
facilities whose syntax descends (mostly) from Ruby
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4. ERLANG VM - WHY SO
INTERESTING
Built Around Concurrency
Built in scheduler
Async IO
Concurrent Garbage collector
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5. ERLANG VM - WHY SO
INTERESTING
Small Number of Serializable Types
Pattern Matching
Processes
Process Linking
Immutable Data
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6. ERLANG VM
Erlang
Elixir
Joxa
LFE
The Concurrent Schemer
Reia
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7. ERLANG VM - TYPES
Numbers
Atoms
Bit Strings and Binaries
Fun
Tuple
List
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8. ERLANG VM -
FEATURES
Expressions
Functions
Modules
Process
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9. RECORDS - ERLANG
-module(records).
-record(robot, {name,
type=industrial,
hobbies,
details=[]}).
first_robot() ->
#robot{name="Mechatron",
type=handmade,
details=["Moved by a small man inside"]}.
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10. RECORDS - ELIXIR
defmodule Records do
defrecord Robots, name: nil,
type: industrial,
hobbies: nil,
details: ["Moved by a small man inside"]
def first_robot do
Robot.new(name: "Mechatron",
type: :handmade,
details: ["Moved by a small man inside"])
end
end
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11. POLYMORPHISM -
ELIXIR
defprotocol Blank do
@doc "Returns true if data is considered blank/empty"
def blank?(data)
end
# Numbers are never blank
defimpl Blank, for: Number do
def blank?(_), do: false
end
# Just empty list is blank
defimpl Blank, for: List do
def blank?([]), do: true
def blank?(_), do: false
end
# Just the atoms false and nil are blank
defimpl Blank, for: Atom do
def blank?(false), do: true
def blank?(nil), do: true
def blank?(_), do: false
end
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12. METAPROGRAMMING -
ELIXIR
defmodule MyMacro do
defmacro unless(clause, options) do
quote do: if(!unquote(clause), unquote(options))
end
end
require MyMacro
unless 2 + 2 == 5, do: call_function()
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13. DOWNSIDES - ERLANG
No Metaprogramming
No Polymorphism (mostly)
Obscure Syntax
Records are horrible
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14. DOWNSIDES - ELIXIR
Its young, so changes a fair amount
Truthiness is the devil
Macros are not sufficiently flexible (as what I am used to in
lisp)
Awkward syntax
Fair amount of inconsistency
Not really accepted by Erlangers
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15. UPSIDES - ERLANG
Simple, Regular Syntax
Stable - Infrequent Changes
Robust and Extraordinarily well tested
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16. UPSIDES - ELIXIR
Metaprogramming, Metaprogramming, Metaprogramming
Polymorphism
Non stable (ie, improving) syntax
Robust, usable shell
Did I say metaprogramming
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17. WRAPPING UP
Rate This Talk - http://speakerrate.com/talks/26081-an-
introduction-to-erlang-elixir-eric-merritt
Contact me - @ericbmerritt, ericbmerritt@gmail.com,
Wednesday, September 25, 13