Learning Elixir and Erlang through Exercism & Advent of Code - Adolfo Neto - Elixir Meetup #6

Adolfo Neto presented on leveraging two powerful learning resources, Exercism and Advent of Code, to master Elixir and Erlang. Adolfo shared his experiences and provided practical tips for utilizing these platforms to enhance programming skills.

About Adolfo Neto

Adolfo Neto is an Associate Professor at the Federal University of Technology, Paraná, and the co-host of the Elixir em Foco podcast. With extensive experience in teaching and mentoring, Adolfo has been a significant contributor to the Elixir community in Brazil.

The Importance of Active Learning

Why Active Learning Matters

Adolfo emphasized the importance of active learning in mastering programming languages. He highlighted how Exercism and Advent of Code offer hands-on challenges that reinforce learning through practice.

Key Benefits:

• Hands-On Practice: Active learning through solving real problems.
• Immediate Feedback: Get instant feedback on solutions.
• Community Engagement: Learn from discussions and mentoring.

Exploring Advent of Code

What is Advent of Code?

Advent of Code is an annual coding event that provides daily programming challenges from December 1st to December 25th. These challenges are designed to be language-agnostic, allowing participants to use any programming language.

Key Features:

• Daily Challenges: New challenges every day in December.
• Language-Agnostic: Solve challenges in any programming language.
• Community Leaderboards: Compete and collaborate with others.

Benefits of Advent of Code

Adolfo shared how Advent of Code helps improve problem-solving skills and provides a platform to learn new algorithms and techniques. He encouraged participants to join community leaderboards and share their solutions.

Advantages:

• Algorithmic Thinking: Develop and refine algorithmic skills.
• Community Interaction: Learn from and compete with others.
• Flexible Participation: Join and solve challenges at your own pace.

Utilizing Exercism

What is Exercism?

Exercism is a platform that offers coding exercises and mentorship for various programming languages, including Elixir and Erlang. It provides a structured path to learn through solving toy problems and receiving feedback.

Key Features:

• Structured Learning: Follow language-specific tracks.
• Mentorship: Receive feedback from experienced mentors.
• Automated Tests: Validate solutions with provided test cases.

Benefits of Exercism

Adolfo highlighted the benefits of using Exercism, including the ability to discuss solutions with mentors and the structured approach to learning.

Advantages:

• Mentorship: Get personalized feedback from mentors.
• Community Discussions: Engage in rich discussions about solutions.
• Automated Feedback: Use provided tests to validate solutions.

Practical Tips for Using These Resources

Combining Both Platforms

Adolfo suggested combining both Advent of Code and Exercism for a comprehensive learning experience. He recommended using Advent of Code for challenging algorithmic problems and Exercism for structured learning and mentorship.

Tips:

• Set Time Limits: Avoid spending too much time on a single problem.
• Read Solutions: Learn from others by reading their solutions.
• Ask for Mentorship: Utilize mentoring features in Exercism.

Real-World Examples

Case Studies

Adolfo shared examples of how he used these platforms to enhance his understanding of Elixir and Erlang. He demonstrated solving Advent of Code challenges and discussed solutions with mentors on Exercism.

Examples:

• Advent of Code: Solving daily challenges and sharing solutions.
• Exercism: Engaging with mentors to refine code and learn best practices.

Conclusion

Adolfo Neto's presentation at Elixir Meetup #6 provided valuable insights into using Exercism and Advent of Code to learn Elixir and Erlang. By leveraging these platforms, developers can enhance their problem-solving skills, engage with the community, and receive mentorship to improve their coding abilities.

Join the Community

Ready to enhance your Elixir and Erlang skills? Register for the next Elixir Meetup at Curiosum Meetups: Registration Join our community of Elixir enthusiasts at Elixir LinkedIn Group Prefer watching the presentation? Here’s the video