Fatih Kacar
Published on
03/17/2024 09:00 am

Gleam: The Revolution of Erlang-Runtime Statically-Typed Functional Language

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    Fatih Kacar
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Gleam: The Revolution of Erlang-Runtime Statically-Typed Functional Language

Gleam, the actor-based highly-concurrent functional language designed to run on the Erlang virtual machine (BEAM), has recently hit a significant milestone by reaching version 1.0. This milestone marks a momentous occasion in the world of functional programming, signaling Gleam's readiness to be utilized in production systems with a strong guarantee of backward compatibility, all based on semantic versioning principles.

Developed with the aim of delivering a seamless transition to Erlang and Elixir developers, Gleam combines the robustness of the Erlang runtime system with the static typing features of a modern functional language. This unique combination provides developers with a powerful toolset that enables them to build reliable and highly-concurrent applications without sacrificing safety and maintainability.

One of the key highlights of Gleam is its close integration with the BEAM virtual machine, which underpins the renowned reliability and fault-tolerance of Erlang-based systems. By leveraging the capabilities of the BEAM VM, Gleam inherits these characteristics and enhances them with the addition of a statically-typed approach, offering developers the best of both worlds.

With the release of version 1.0, Gleam has solidified its position as a mature and stable language ready to tackle the challenges of real-world production environments. The promise of backward compatibility ensures that developers can confidently adopt Gleam without the fear of breaking changes, making it an excellent choice for building long-lasting and sustainable systems.

As the brainchild of talented developers who have a deep understanding of functional programming and the Erlang ecosystem, Gleam represents a new chapter in the evolution of statically-typed languages running on the Erlang runtime. Its journey to version 1.0 signifies the dedication and hard work put into refining the language and shaping it into a valuable asset for developers seeking robust, scalable, and fault-tolerant solutions.

In conclusion, Gleam's achievement of reaching version 1.0 is a testament to its commitment to excellence and innovation in the realm of functional programming. With its actor-based model, highly-concurrent design, and seamless integration with the Erlang virtual machine, Gleam is poised to revolutionize the way developers approach building concurrent and fault-tolerant systems.

By Sergio De Simone