Programming Clojure

Find out why Clojure is Java.next

  • Clojure provides clean, fast access to all Java libraries
  • Clojure provides all the low-ceremony goodness you know and love from dynamic languages
  • Clojure includes Lisp's signature feature: Treating code as data through macros.
  • Clojure's emphasis on immutability and support for software transactional memory make it a viable option for taking advantage of massively parallel hardware.

Clojure is a dynamic programming language for the Java Virtual Machine, with a compelling combination of features:

  • Clojure is elegant. Clojure's clean, careful design lets you write programs that get right to the essence of a problem, without a lot of clutter and ceremony.
  • Clojure is Lisp reloaded. Clojure has the power inherent in Lisp, but not constrained by the history of Lisp.
  • Clojure is a functional language. Data structures are immutable, and most functions are side-effect free. This makes it easier to write correct programs, and to compose large programs from smaller ones.
  • Clojure simplifies concurrent programming. Of course, Java itself has pretty good concurrency support, but there is wide agreement that lock-based concurrency is difficult to use correctly. Clojure provides alternatives to lock-based concurrency: software transactional memory, agents, and dynamic variables.
  • Clojure embraces Java. Calling from Clojure to Java is direct, and goes through no translation layer.
  • Unlike many popular dynamic languages, Clojure is fast. Wherever you need it, you can get the exact same performance that you could get from hand-written Java code.

About Aaron Bedra

Aaron Bedra

Aaron Bedra is a member of Clojure/core and a developer at Relevance, Inc. where he spends his time as a tech lead, speaker and author. He is a frequent contributor to the Clojure language and its supporting libraries as well as an active member of the Clojure community. Aaron has led the development of several commercial Clojure projects and is the co-author with Stuart Halloway of Programming Clojure, 2nd Edition.

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