Scala is an object-oriented programming language for the Java Virtual Machine. In addition to being object-oriented Scala is also a functional language and combines the best approaches to OO and functional programming. In Italian Scala means a stairway or steps indeed Scala lets you step up to a programming environment that incorporates some of the best recent thinking in programming language design while also letting you use all your existing Java code. Artima is very pleased to publish a new edition of the best-selling book on Scala written by the designer of the language Martin Odersky. Co-authored by Lex Spoon and Bill Venners this book takes a step-by-step tutorial approach to teaching you Scala. Starting with the fundamental elements of the language Programming in Scala introduces functional programming from the practitioner s perspective and describes advanced language features that can make you a better more productive developer.