Programming is the first step where everyone begins their development journey. However, many languages require learning the fundamentals, such as flowcharts, syntax, and OOP concepts. Scala has recently gained appreciation among developers due to its high scalability features. Moreover, as it is powerful, speedy, and secure, developers with a keen interest are adapting to the Scala ecosystem to become Scala developers and create scalable, efficient solutions.
If you are an aspiring developer, then this blog will help you. At the end of this blog, you will know how to begin your development journey with Scala. This blog also covers some critical aspects of Scala. Be sure to read till the end.
What is Scala?
Scala is a general purpose statistically typed programming language. Martin Ordorsky and his team created Scala in 2004. It supports object-oriented and functional programming to design and execute programming patterns concisely.
Scala refers to scalability. It means that they built it to deliver scalable applications. Moreover, it runs on the JVM(Java Virtual Machine) for its code execution and is known for creating complex, scalable solutions.
What Are The Core Differences Between Java And Scala?
Java and Scala are high-performing languages. They are used to build enterprise-level software solutions. A major similarity they possess is that they use the same Java Virtual Machine to run their codebases and generate output.
However, both of these languages are employed in different scenarios. Many prefers Scala to develop scalable applications. And Java to build the robust ones.
1. Type
- – Programming languages have their unique features and functions. Java is a general-purpose object-oriented programming language.
- – On the other hand, Scala is a general purpose statically typed programming language that supports object-oriented and functional programming.
2. Size and Code
- One major difference between Scala and Java is their size and code style.
- – Scala is more compact and has fewer lines of code, which are easier to type for a programmer.
- – However, Java is not as compact as Scala and has long lines of code, which might turn out to be a tedious programming language for a beginner.
3. Learning Curve
- When adapting to a new tech stack, developers ensure it has an easy learning curve. Developers want a language to get started easily and learn all its fundamentals within a short time.
- – Java has huge learning resources on the internet. Developers can learn within a month due to its code simplicity.
- – Scala is a more complex language with its confusing syntax and nested code system. It’s hard to understand and learn.
4. Code Readability
- – Here again, Java shines brightest as its code is easy to understand due to its well-structured and defined data types.
- – On the other hand, Scala has a nested code structure, which makes it hard to understand and interpret the code and its executions. This is one of the downfalls of Scala, but with enough knowledge and practice, one can read its codes.
5. Functions
- In Java, the functions are considered objects, whereas in Scala they are considered variables.
6. Backward Compatibility
- – Backward compatibility refers to the code written for a new version that can run on older versions.
- – This parameter doesn’t align with Scala as it’s not backwards compatible
- – But Java aligns with this parameter and has backward compatibility, which runs codes on an older version of Java.
What is a Scala Developer?
A developer is referred to as a Scala developer if they employ the Scala programming language to create sophisticated, scalable solutions.
He is responsible for working on the key aspects of Scala-based solutions, such as designing the flowchart and syntax of the codebase, adapting OOP concepts to code software solutions, and using necessary frameworks that will shape the solution and then further debug it to find flaws and resolve them for greater efficiency.
How to Become a Scala Developer
Scala is one of the most popular programming languages. Developers adapting to its ecosystem will surely secure their future as it’s gaining tremendous demand.
One might ask, what should a Scala developer know? And the answer to this would be its fundamentals.
To become a Scala developer, you gain basic knowledge on Scala, then further advance your programming skills by practicing and working on real-world projects.
Nevertheless, the following prerequisites will help you become an agile Scala developer.
1. Academics
Computer Science Background(Optional)
Though it’s an optional step, having a computer science background is always an added advantage. Because these foundational courses cover the basics of programming languages, networking, databases, and many other things.
Moreover, a computer science background will help you understand the core principles of the compiler, some of the OOP concepts such as classes, and the polymorphism of Scala, which again will boost your trajectory of becoming a Scala developer.
2. Required Scala Developer Skill Sets
To get a job in a reputed Scala development company, you have to gain all the necessary Scala developer skill sets. They include core knowledge of the programming language, building strong problem-solving and analytical skills, and becoming aware of computer networking and databases. As a Scala developer, focus on these prime parameters and always polish them.
i) Scala Programming
- Indeed, the Scala developer’s journey begins with learning the basics of the Scala programming language, so you should start with its fundamentals such as flowcharts, syntax, code execution, data types, variables, and object-oriented programming in Scala, and many other things.
- Learning these basics will help you understand how the code is executed and how the compiler compiles the code. Moreover, the more you resolve code errors, the more fluent you will become.
ii) How to Learn Scala Programming
- One might ask, how do I start learning this language and where can I find possible resources?. In this digital age, there are many resources available where you can learn pretty much everything. Platforms like e-learning websites, YouTube, and other course providers constantly update their curricula according to industry trends. You can take the help of any platform to gain knowledge.
iii) Problem-solving and Analytical Skills
- To solve various problems arising in the development process, you have to gain profound knowledge of problem-solving and analytical skills. To learn these, you can use some of the competitive programming websites such as Leetcode and CodeForces.
iV) Fundamental Knowledge of Networking and Database
- Software is not all about codes but a combination of supporting databases and networking protocols, hence it’s equally important to gain profound knowledge of the fundamentals of networking and database.
3. Apply Practical Knowledge
i) Build Projects
- To polish your real-world knowledge, try working on mini projects, such as building a small game, a bot, or other easy-level projects. It will enhance your learning, and your critical thinking will get a huge boost. Aim high and start working on medium to difficult projects to further enhance your programming skills.
4. Build a Portfolio and a Scala Developer Resume
Once you gain experience building projects with Scala, start building a professional portfolio and a resume. Enlist your personal information, academics, and projects in a proper format. Furthermore, include your objective, which will define what industry you want to serve. Include location and contact information so the recruiter can contact you regarding a Scala developer role.
What Are The Top Websites To Look For Scala Developer Jobs?
1. LinkedIn
LinkedIn is a professional networking platform where you can find jobs for every role. It includes both freelance and on-site jobs, so you can opt for one of these at your convenience. The best thing about LinkedIn is that it has jobs enlisted and updated from different parts of the world, so if you want to relocate to a new destination, you can choose the location filter to find jobs in that particular region and apply accordingly.
2. Optymize
Optymize is a worldwide talent marketplace that serves companies with the top 5% of elite developers to scale their development. If you have a ton of experience and are eager to work for international clients, then it’s the ideal destination for you.
The platform is mostly filled with freelance roles; hence, in your case, you will be working as a freelance Scala developer. The best thing about Optymize is that it allows its developers to work remotely and enjoy the essence of peace of mind. If you are tired of a disturbing office environment, then this is a golden opportunity for you to work as a freelancer.
What Is the Job Description of A Scala Developer?
1. Job Responsibilities
- Understand client requirements and plan development phases to build solutions accordingly.
- Writing clear and concise codes with accuracy.
- Identify trends and new technologies to implement and enhance software solutions.
- Strategically apply new functionalities that will improve the efficiency, and responsiveness of the system.
- Collaborate with QA engineers and discuss test case construction, and flaws to find better solutions.
- Communicate with clients to understand any additional needs.
- Create detailed technical documentation.
- Troubleshoot Scala applications whenever required.
2. Job Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in computer science, IT or any circuital branch.
- Deep understanding of computer networking and database concepts.
- Good problem-solving skills and an analytical mindset.
- Good team members and should have decent organizational skills.
- Experience in building applications with Scala.
- Proficient with Scala frameworks such as Play, Slick, and Apache Spark.
- Experience with version control systems such as Github.
- Excellent communication skills and other soft skills.
Scala Developer Interview Questions
- What are the benefits of using Scala?
- What is the difference between Scala and Java?
- Mention the features of Scala.
- What are some of the popular frameworks for Scala?
- What is steam in Scala?
- What is operator overloading in Scala?
- Define lazy evaluation in Scala.
- What are Scala variables?
- Define Tuples and their uses in Scala?
- Define bitset.
- What is closure in Scala?
- Explain monads.
- Explain different identifiers in Scala.
- What is tail recursion?
Scala Developer Salary
The best way to retain qualified developers in your company is by offering a handsome salary, and many companies acknowledge their efforts and offer comforting perks. If you glance at the salaries of Scala developers, you may feel surprised.
A Scala developer makes an average annual salary of about $140,000 in the US. While in Europe, Scala developers typically earn roughly $125,000 annually.
If we compare Scala developers vs Java Developers’ salaries we can see that Scala offers substantially better compensation than Java. For example, in the US, the typical salary for Java developers ranges between $115,000 and $120,000 per year, while in Europe, it’s approximately $90,000.
Salaries of Scala Developers According to Years of Experience?
Experience defines our expertise in a particular domain; hence, developers with more experience tend to get higher salaries. Having said that, the compensation offered for senior roles is higher compared to junior roles.
For instance, the annual salaries for Scala developers range from $117,000 for entry-level positions to $170,000 for senior positions. This means a Scala developer with more than 6+ years of experience earns more as compared to a junior developer with one or two years of experience.
What is the Future of Scala Developers?
The future of a programming language heavily depends upon its frameworks. In the case of Scala, it’s Kafka, Play, Akka, and Apache Spark. Moreover, the community backing the language also plays a key role in building its future, because developers prefer languages that have various robust frameworks and have huge community support to get some help.
Scala is a functional and object-oriented programming language that operates on shorter lines of code, which attracts developers to give it a try. Besides, many tech giants, such as Twitter, Netflix, LinkedIn, Sony, and Airbnb use Scala in their development operations, which again boosts its popularity as developers favor tools and technologies that are currently used by innovative companies, i.e., to get a job. Hence, it is safe to say Scala developers have a bright future.
Conclusion
Scala is one of the most prominent languages for building scalable, complex solutions and is a perfect alternative to Java because of its hybrid functionalities. It is being used by popular tech giants. This is why its popularity is gaining with steady momentum. Hence, it’s an ideal choice for developers who want a flourishing career in the tech industry.
Indeed, the beginning of any development career begins with programming and other fundamental concepts. So, if you are an aspiring Scala developer to serve industries with agility then make your basics strong, practice a lot, prepare a portfolio and begin your development journey as a professional Scala developer.
