In this lively discussion, Carin Meier, author of Living Clojure and a math and physics enthusiast, shares her journey from ballet to coding. She dives into the vibrant Clojure community, discussing its interoperability with Java and applications in large organizations. Carin introduces the fascinating concept of chemical programming, blending computer science with biology. The conversation wraps up with insights on mastering Clojure, reflecting on the importance of patience and practice, and exploring the playful side of coding.
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Quick takeaways
Carin Meier's journey from professional ballet dancer to software developer highlights the transformative power of diverse experiences in shaping one’s career.
Clojure's characteristics, such as immutability and Java interoperability, make it an appealing choice for developers, especially in concurrency-focused applications.
Meyer’s book 'Living Clojure' provides a structured pathway for learners, emphasizing incremental growth and practice in mastering Clojure programming.
Deep dives
Karen Meyer: From Ballet to Software Development
Karen Meyer describes her unique journey into the world of programming, which began after a career as a professional ballet dancer. Initially drawn to physics and mathematics, her interests evolved as she recognized opportunities in software development. Karen notes a pivotal moment during a physics experiment where a marble landed precisely in a cup, igniting her passion for math and science. This experience led her to programming, where she found enjoyment in the immediate feedback and creative aspects of coding.
The Appeal of Clojure
Meyer expresses her affection for Clojure, a Lisp dialect that runs on the Java Virtual Machine (JVM), emphasizing its simplicity and powerful features such as immutability. She highlights how Clojure allows developers to leverage Java interoperability while maintaining a concise and expressive coding style. The community surrounding Clojure, noted for its kindness and innovation, further enhances its appeal and has contributed to increasing its popularity in the software development landscape. Karen’s excitement is evident as she explains how Clojure’s unique qualities make it suitable for various applications, particularly those requiring concurrency.
Innovative Uses of Clojure
Clojure's versatility is showcased through its adoption by major companies, including Walmart, which utilizes the language for processing receipts. Karen explains that the language is particularly well-suited for applications dealing with concurrency due to its functional programming paradigm and immutable data structures. With the advent of ClojureScript, developers are able to use the same language for both backend and frontend development, enhancing productivity and coherence in projects. This newfound capability allows for seamless integration and complements the general purpose nature of Clojure.
Chemical Computing and Innovative Programming Paradigms
Karen's upcoming talk at Strange Loop focuses on the concept of chemical computing, a metaphorical approach to programming that draws parallels from operations in chemistry. By examining how molecules interact, she illustrates a non-sequential method of programming, allowing for parallel processing and creative problem-solving without following traditional loops. This innovative perspective not only challenges conventional programming techniques but also encourages future exploration of cross-disciplinary approaches in coding and computational thinking. Karen's enthusiasm reflects a desire to inspire others to evolve their programming practices to embrace new frameworks.
Living Closure: A Structured Learning Approach
Meyer shares details about her book, 'Living Closure', designed as a structured guide for learning the Clojure programming language. The book combines an introduction to Clojure with a seven-week training plan that gradually builds a learner's capabilities in programming with the language. Drawing on her own experience of transitioning from beginner to proficient, Karen emphasizes the importance of incremental learning and practice. She aims to offer readers a clear pathway to understanding Clojure while illustrating that mastery is achievable with dedication and patience.
Carin Meier joined the show to talk about Clojure, ClojureScript, her book Living Clojure, all the fun things she loves about math, physics, and creating a programming language.