Elixir Basic Syntax

Q: How do I define a function in Elixir?

Functions in Elixir are defined using the def keyword inside a module. Here&#x27;s an example of defining a function that adds two numbers:defmodule Math do def add(a, b) do a + b endendThis code defines a module named Math and a function named add that takes two arguments, a and b, and returns their sum.

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Elixir is a dynamic, functional language designed for building scalable and maintainable applications. It leverages the Erlang VM, known for running low-latency, fault-tolerant systems. But before we jump into building world-saving applications, let's have a look at Elixir's basic syntax and structure.

Modules and Functions

In Elixir, code is organized into modules. Modules consist of functions that are used to perform specific tasks. You can think of modules as a recipe book and functions as the individual recipes.

Here's an example of a simple Elixir module:

defmodule Greetings do
  def hello do
    "Hello, world!"
  end
end

In this example, we have a module called Greetings and a single function called hello. The function returns the string "Hello, world!".

Function Calls

Functions can be called by specifying their module, followed by a dot, and the function name. Let's call our hello function:

IO.puts Greetings.hello()

This code will output "Hello, world!" onto the console. The IO.puts is another Elixir function that is used to print messages to the console.

Variables and Pattern Matching

Elixir has a unique way of working with variables. In Elixir, variables are used for pattern matching.

Here's an example to illustrate this concept:

{status, message} = {:ok, "Success!"}

In this example, we are pattern matching the tuple {:ok, "Success!"} with the tuple {status, message}. The variable status will be assigned the value :ok, and message will be assigned the value "Success!".

Control Structures

Elixir provides several control structures like if, case, and cond to help with decision making.

Here's an example using the if control structure:

number = 42

if number > 0 do
  "This is a positive number."
else
  "This is a non-positive number."
end

In this example, we use the if control structure to check if number is greater than 0. If it is, we return the string "This is a positive number." Otherwise, we return "This is a non-positive number."

Comments

To make your code more readable and maintainable, Elixir allows you to write comments. Comments start with a # symbol and span until the end of the line.

# This is a single-line comment in Elixir

Wrapping Up

We've only scratched the surface of Elixir's basic syntax and structure. As you continue exploring Elixir, you'll discover its powerful pattern matching, expressive control structures, and modular design that will make your coding experience a delightful one. So go forth and conquer the world of Elixir!

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FAQ

What are the basic data types in Elixir?

Elixir has several basic data types:

Integers: Whole numbers like 1, 42, or -7.
Floats: Decimal numbers like 3.14, -0.01, or 6.0.
Booleans: Either true or false.
Atoms: Constants with their own name as their value, like :ok or :error.
Strings: Text enclosed in double quotes, like "Hello, World!".
Lists: Ordered collections of elements, like [1, 2, 3].
Tuples: Similar to lists, but faster for fixed-size collections, like {1, 2, 3}.

How do I define a variable in Elixir?

To define a variable in Elixir, simply use the assignment operator =. For example:

name = "Alice"
age = 30

This creates two variables, name with the value "Alice" and age with the value 30.

What is pattern matching in Elixir?

Pattern matching is a powerful feature in Elixir that allows you to match the structure of data and assign values to variables. It uses the = operator, similar to assignment. For example:

{a, b, c} = {1, 2, 3}

This code matches the structure of the tuple on the left with the tuple on the right, and assigns the values 1, 2, and 3 to the variables a, b, and c, respectively.

How do I define a function in Elixir?

Functions in Elixir are defined using the def keyword inside a module. Here's an example of defining a function that adds two numbers:

defmodule Math do
    def add(a, b) do
        a + b
    end
end

This code defines a module named Math and a function named add that takes two arguments, a and b, and returns their sum.

How do I call a function in Elixir?

To call a function in Elixir, you typically use the module name followed by a dot and the function name, passing any required arguments. For example, if you have the Math module with the add function defined as in the previous question, you'd call it like this: