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Clojure update

In the run up to our next Clojure Dojo, this coming Monday (11th April 2011); I thought that I’d interview some of our existing members, about why they’re interested in learning Clojure Programming.
First up  this month is Scott Lowe, Scott attended his first dojo last month after attending my introductory Clojure talk at the North West Ruby User Group.  Despite claims of ignorance, Scotts many insightful questions showed he’d been doing some research on his own time; and was merely being humble as he quickly came to demonstrate a philosophical understanding of Clojure’s unique concurrency model.
1) What is your name?  Twitter alias (if any) and blog (if any)?

Scott Lowe, @scott_to_s

2) What’s your day job \ Where do you study? \ What are your interests?

Day job: Software developer – Primarily working with Ruby (JRuby) and C#.

3) Why are you interested in Clojure?

Whilst I use some light functional programming constructs in my day job (Lambdas!), I have a knowledge gap with respect to proper
functional programming. It’s time to plug that gap this year, and learn more about real functional programming, but I want to learn and apply it in a practical way.

I’m interested in rich, expressive languages and I’m also constantly on the look-out for “a better way” of doing things; Clojure looks like it could satisfy those interests. Finally, I love software engineering and simply find the ideas and philosophiesembodied within Clojure to ring true, in addition to it being new and stimulating.

4) What other technologies interest you?

Pub-sub messaging; Async/Evented programming; Alternative approaches to rich UI programming and declaration (Yes… I’ve used XAML!).

5) What would you like to do at future Clojure Dojo’s?

“The structure and architecture of non-trivial code”, but probably not at the very next Dojo, because I wouldn’t be ready for looking at non-trivial Clojure code by that time! But certainly a walkthrough of a practical application of Clojure’s power might be helpful.

6) How do you find the Madlab?

Great location. Great idea. Manchester is lucky to have it.

7) Do you attend any other events?

At Madlab? No others as yet, but this isn’t because of a lack of interest. I’ve certainly intended to visit on many occasions, but I
simply haven’t had much free time.

Well thanks for your time Scott!

If Scott’s convinced you to learn Clojure and Functional Programming, then you can do so in a practical way by joining theClojure Dojo Google Group, and attend our next meetingat the MadLab on Monday 11th April 2011 @7pm.

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