ElixirConf 2017 - Its Better Unstated - @tjstankus

This is a story about transitioning an obsession with object-oriented software design to an obsession with functional software design. It’s about experimentation, learning, and play. It’s about what happens when you let go of sacred cows you’ve hung onto for nearly 20 years and insist on wiping the slate clean.

The story is told through a code kata. It starts with a Ruby example, the result of a rigorous application of OO principles. It’s thoroughly decomposed, free of conditionals, and contains small objects representing domain concepts, including state. The solution is all about state and it’s lovely, if a little overwrought.

But could I implement the same kata in Elixir entirely without state? It turns out that leveraging functional approaches and Elixir features like pattern matching, robust list processing, and guard clauses, a conditional-free solution emerged with an 85% reduction in lines of code.

This talked is aimed squarely at the developer thinking about or just starting to transition from an OO mindset to a functional one. I’ve had several jaw-dropping moments along my learning path and I hope to share my experiences and enthusiasm with others.

Audience: Beginner

All talks are available in the Elixir Conf 2017 Talks List or via the elixirconf2017 tag