This page describes how you should prepare for ScalaBridge: software to install and things to read.
Software
To prepare for ScalaBridge you should attempt to install some software, as described below. This can be complicated process so don’t worry if you can’t get it work—we can help you on the day if needed.
Here is what we recommend:
-
If you are joining an online session, which is what we are currently (March 2020) doing, you should install Visual Studio Code and the following extensions: Live Share Extension Pack, Scala (Metals), Scala Syntax (official), GitLens.
-
For online sessions you will also want spend a bit of time on your AV setup. You definitely need speakers or headphones, and a microphone. We strongly encourage a video camera as well. This doesn’t have to be expensive. A phone headset and a laptop camera are completely adequate, for example.
For in-person sessions we can be a bit freer in the software we use:
-
if you already have something set up, or you are comfortable with a particular tool in another language, keep using that; otherwise
-
use Visual Studio Code or IntelliJ, depending on personal preference. IntelliJ has more features but might be more confusing, and you’ll need a decent laptop to run it. If using IntelliJ use the Scala bundle installer to get everything needed for Scala development. If using Visual Studio Code install Metals and the Scala syntax.
For either online or in-person sessions, once you have a development environment download (or fork or clone, if you are familiar with Git) the Creative Scala template to get a simple Scala project (with some reasonably appealing output). You may need to install the JDK as well, if your computer doesn’t already have it installed.
Reading
Take a look at the curriculum and teaching pages to see what and how we teach, and optional work you can do before a session.