Solved Problems

Output a string to the console

Write the string "Hello World!" to STDOUT
groovy
println "Hello World!"
erlang
io:format("Hello, World!~n").
clojure
(println "Hello World!")

Retrieve a string containing ampersands from the variables in a url

My PHP script first does a query to obtain customer info for a form. The form has first name and last name fields among others. The customer has put entries such as "Ron & Jean" in the first name field in the database. Then the edit form script is called with variables such as

"http://myserver.com/custinfo/edit.php?mode=view&fname=Ron & Jean&lname=Smith".

The script variable for first name $_REQUEST['firstname'] never gets beyond the "Ron" value because of the ampersand in the data.

I have tried various functions like urldecode but all to no avail. I even tried encoding the url before the view screen is painted so that the url looks like "http://myserver/custinfo/edit.php?mode=view&fname="Ronxxnbsp;xxamp;xxnbsp;Jean"&lname=SMITH". (sorry I had to add the xx to replace the ampersand or it didn't display meaningful url contents the browser sees.)

Of course this fails for the same reasons. What is a better approach?
groovy
// Given the nature of the question text, I am assuming the question
// is how to produce a application/x-www-form-urlencoded compliant string

def basename = 'http://somedomain.com/somebase/'
def parameter = 'Bart & Lisa'
// equivalent to php
println basename + URLEncoder.encode(parameter)
// recommended approach is to specify encoding
println basename + URLEncoder.encode(parameter, "UTF-8")
erlang
% encode ampersand in your string using %XX where XX is hex code for ampersand
% optionally encode spaces for completeness sake to keep URL solid
URL = "http://myserver.com/custinfo/edit.php?mode=view&fname=Ron%20%26%20Jean&lname=Smith",
{_, Query} = string:tokens(URL, "?"),
KeyValuePairs = string:tokens(Query, "&"),...
clojure
(->> {"mode" "view"
"fname" "Ron & Jean"
"lname" "Smith"}
(map #(str (URLEncoder/encode (first %) "UTF-8")
"="
(URLEncoder/encode (second %) "UTF-8")))
(reduce (fn [url e] (str url "&" e))
"http://myserver.com/custinfo/edit.php"))

string-wrap

Wrap the string "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog. " repeated ten times to a max width of 78 chars, starting each line with "> "

Expected output:
> The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog. The quick brown fox jumps over t
> he lazy dog. The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog. The quick brown fox
> jumps over the lazy dog. The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog. The qui
> ck brown fox jumps over the lazy dog. The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy
> dog. The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog. The quick brown fox jumps o
> ver the lazy dog. The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
groovy
'The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog. '.multiply(10).split('(?<=\\G.{76})').each{println '> ' + it}
st = "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog. " * 10
width = 76
while(st){
(first, st) = st.length() > width? [st[0..width], st[(width+1)..-1].trim()] : [st, null]
println "> $first"
}
erlang
wrapper(String, Times, Length) ->
StrList = lists:reverse(formatter(string:copies(String, Times), Length, [])),
lists:foreach(fun(Str) -> io:format("~p~n", [Str]) end, StrList).

formatter([], _Length, Acc) -> Acc;
formatter(String, Length, Acc) when length(String) > Length - 1->
{Head, Tail} = lists:split(Length - 1, String),
formatter(string:strip(Tail), Length, [[$>, $ | Head] | Acc]);
formatter(String, Length, Acc) ->
formatter([], Length, [[$>, $ | String] | Acc]).
clojure
(defn string-wrap [s]
(if (= 0 (count s))
nil
(lazy-seq (cons (apply str (take 78 s))
(string-wrap (drop 78 s))))))

(let [s (apply str (repeat 10 "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog. "))]
(doseq [line (string-wrap s)]
(println "> " line)))

Define a string containing special characters

Define the literal string "\#{'}${"}/"
groovy
special = "\\#{'}\${\"}/"
special = '\\#{\'}${"}/'
special = /\#{'}${'$'}{"}\//
erlang
Special = "\\#{'}\${\"}/",
clojure
(def special "\\#{'}${\"}/")

Define a multiline string

Define the string:
"This
Is
A
Multiline
String"
groovy
def text =
"""This
Is
A
Multiline
String"""
def text = "This\nIs\nA\nMultiline\nString"
erlang
Text = "This\nIs\nA\nMultiline\nString",
clojure
(def multiline "This\nIs\nA\nMultiline\nString")

Define a string containing variables and expressions

Given variables a=3 and b=4 output "3+4=7"
groovy
println "$a+$b=${a+b}"
printf "%d+%d=%d\n", a, b, a + b
erlang
A = 3, B = 4,
io:format("~B+~B=~B~n", [A, B, (A+B)]).
clojure
(format "%d + %d = %d" a b (+ a b))

Reverse the characters in a string

Given the string "reverse me", produce the string "em esrever"
groovy
reversed = "reverse me".reverse()
erlang
Reversed = lists:reverse("reverse me"),
Reversed = revchars("reverse me"),
clojure
(require '[clojure.contrib.str-utils2 :as str])
(str/reverse "reverse me")
(apply str (reverse "reverse me"))

Reverse the words in a string

Given the string "This is a end, my only friend!", produce the string "friend! only my end, the is This"
groovy
reversed = "This is the end, my only friend!".split().reverse().join(' ')
reversed = "This is the end, my only friend!".tokenize(' ').reverse().join(' ')
def revdelim(c, s) { StringUtils.reverseDelimited(s, c) }
revwords = this.&revdelim.curry(" " as char)
reversed = revwords("This is the end, my only friend!")
reversed = StringUtils.reverseDelimited("This is the end, my only friend!", " " as char)
erlang
Reversed = string:join(lists:reverse(string:tokens("This is the end, my only friend!", " ")), " "),
clojure
(require '[clojure.contrib.str-utils2 :as str])
(str/join " " (reverse (str/split "this is the end, my only friend!" #" ")))
(apply str (interpose " " (reverse (re-seq #"[^\s]+" "This is the end, my only friend!"))))

Text wrapping

Wrap the string "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog. " repeated ten times to a max width of 78 chars, starting each line with "> ", yielding this result:

> The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog. The quick brown fox jumps
> over the lazy dog. The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog. The
> quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog. The quick brown fox jumps
> over the lazy dog. The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog. The
> quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog. The quick brown fox jumps
> over the lazy dog. The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog. The
> quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
groovy
// no built-in fill, define one using brute force approach
def fill(text, width=80, prefix='') {
width = width - prefix.size()
def out = []
List words = text.replaceAll("\n", " ").split(" ")
while (words) {
def line = ''
while (words) {
if (line.size() + words[0].size() + 1 > width) break
if (line) line += ' '
line += words[0]
words = words.tail()
}
out += prefix + line
}
out.join("\n")
}
println fill('The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog. ' * 10, 72, '> ')
// no built-in fill, define one using lastIndexOf
def fill(text, width=80, prefix='') {
def out = ''
def remaining = text.replaceAll("\n", " ")
while (remaining) {
def next = prefix + remaining
def found = next.lastIndexOf(' ', width)
if (found == -1) remaining = ''
else {
remaining = next.substring(found + 1)
next = next[0..found]
}
out += next + '\n'
}
out
}
println fill('The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog. ' * 10, 72, '> ')
prefix = '> '
input = 'The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog. '
wrap(input * 10, 72 - prefix.size()).eachLine{ println prefix + it }
erlang
TextWrap = textwrap(string:copies(Input, 10), 73 - length(Prefix)),
lists:foreach(fun (Line) -> io:format("~s~n", [string:concat(Prefix, Line)]) end, string:tokens(TextWrap, "\n")).
clojure
(doseq [line (re-seq #".{0,70} "
(apply str
(repeat 10 "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog. ")))]
(println ">" line))

Remove leading and trailing whitespace from a string

Given the string "  hello    " return the string "hello".
groovy
assert "hello" == " hello ".trim()
erlang
Trimmed = string:strip(S),
clojure
(use 'clojure.contrib.str-utils2)
(trim " hello ")
(clojure.string/trim " hello ")
(.trim " hello ")

Simple substitution cipher

Take a string and return the ROT13 and ROT47 (Check Wikipedia) version of the string.
For example:
String is: Hello World #123
ROT13 returns: Uryyb Jbeyq #123
ROT47 returns: w6==@ (@C=5 R`ab
groovy
char rot13(s) {
char c = s
switch(c) {
case 'A'..'M': case 'a'..'m': return c+13
case 'N'..'Z': case 'n'..'z': return c-13
default : return c
}
}
String.metaClass.rot13 = {
delegate.collect(this.&rot13).join()
}

from = '!"#$%&\'()*+,-./0123456789:;<=>?@ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ[\\]^_`abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz{|}~'
to = 'PQRSTUVWXYZ[\\]^_`abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz{|}~!"#$%&\'()*+,-./0123456789:;<=>?@ABCDEFGHIJKLMNO'
String.metaClass.rot47 = {
delegate.collect{ int found = from.indexOf(it); found < 0 ? it : to[found] }.join()
}

assert 'Hello World #123'.rot13() == 'Uryyb Jbeyq #123'
assert 'Hello World #123'.rot47() == 'w6==@ (@C=5 R`ab'
erlang
rot13(Str) ->
lists:map(fun(A) ->
if
A >= $A, A =< $Z -> ((A - $A + 13) rem 26) + $A;
A >= $a, A =< $z -> ((A - $a + 13) rem 26) + $a;
true -> A
end
end, Str).

rot47(Str) ->
lists:map(fun(A) ->
if
A >= $!, A =< $~ ->
((A - $! + 47) rem 94) + $!;
true -> A
end
end, Str).
clojure
(use 'clojure.contrib.cond)

(defn rot13 [s]
(reduce str
(map #(char (let [c (bit-and (int (char %)) 0xDF)]
(+ % (cond-let [i]
(and (>= c (int \A)) (<= c (int \M))) 13
(and (>= c (int \N)) (<= c (int \Z))) -13
true 0))))
(map #(int (char %)) s))))

(defn rot47 [s]
(reduce str
(map #(char (+ % (cond-let [i]
(and (>= % (int \!)) (<= % (int \O))) 47
(and (>= % (int \P)) (<= % (int \~))) -47
true 0)))
(map #(int (char %)) s))))

Make a string uppercase

Transform "Space Monkey" into "SPACE MONKEY"
groovy
println "Space Monkey".toUpperCase()
erlang
io:format("~s~n", [string:to_upper("Space Monkey")]).
clojure
(.toUpperCase "Space Monkey")

Make a string lowercase

Transform "Caps ARE overRated" into "caps are overrated"
groovy
println "Caps ARE overRated".toLowerCase()
erlang
io:format("~s~n", [string:to_lower("Caps ARE overRated")]).
clojure
(.toLowerCase "Caps ARE overRated")

Capitalise the first letter of each word

Transform "man OF stEEL" into "Man Of Steel"
groovy
def capitalize(s) { s[0].toUpperCase() + s[1..-1].toLowerCase() }
caps = "man OF stEEL".replaceAll(/\w+/) { w -> capitalize(w) }
caps = "man OF stEEL".replaceAll(/\w+/) { w -> StringUtils.capitalize(w.toLowerCase()) }
caps = WordUtils.capitalizeFully("man OF stEEL")
erlang
Caps = string:join(lists:map(fun(S) -> to_caps(S) end, string:tokens("man OF stEEL", " ")), " "),
clojure
(use 'clojure.contrib.str-utils2)
(join " " (map capitalize (split "man OF stEEL" #" ")))

Find the distance between two points

groovy
distance = distance(x1, y1, x2, y2)
distance = sqrt((x2-x1)*(x2-x1)+(y2-y1)*(y2-y1))
erlang
Distance = distance({point, 34, 78}, {point, 67, -45}),
io:format("~.2f~n", [Distance]).
Distance = distance(point:new(34, 78), point:new(67, -45)),
io:format("~.2f~n", [Distance]).
clojure
(defstruct point :x :y)

(defn distance
"Euclidean distance between 2 points"
[p1 p2]
(Math/pow (+ (Math/pow (- (:x p1) (:x p2)) 2)
(Math/pow (- (:y p1) (:y p2)) 2))
0.5))

(distance (struct point 0 0) (struct point 1 1)) ; => 1.4142135623730951
(defn distance
"Euclidean distance between 2 points"
[[x1 y1] [x2 y2]]
(Math/sqrt
(+ (Math/pow (- x1 x2) 2)
(Math/pow (- y1 y2) 2))))

(distance [2 2] [3 3])

Zero pad a number

Given the number 42, pad it to 8 characters like 00000042
groovy
formatted = new DecimalFormat('00000000').format(42)
formatted = 42.toString().padLeft(8, '0')
// to stdout
printf "%08d\n", 42
// to a string
formatted = sprintf("%08d", 42)
formatted = String.format("%08d", 42)
erlang
Formatted = io_lib:format("~8..0B", [42]),
io:format("~8..0B~n", [42]).
clojure
(defn pad
([x] (if (> 8 (.length (str x))) (pad (str 0 x)) (str x)))
)
(defn pad [x]
(format "%08d" x))
(format "%08d" 42)

Right Space pad a number

Given the number 1024 right pad it to 6 characters "1024  "
groovy
println 1024.toString().padRight(6)
formatted = sprintf("%-6d", 1024)
erlang
Formatted = io_lib:format("~-6B", [1024]),
io:format("~-6B~n", [1024]).
clojure
(let [s (str 1024)
l (count s)]
(str s (reduce str (repeat (- 6 l) " "))))

Format a decimal number

Format the number 7/8 as a decimal with 2 places: 0.88
groovy
def result = 7/8
println result.round(new MathContext(2))
def result = 7/8
printf "%.2g", result
new Double(7/8).round(2)
erlang
Formatted = io_lib:format("~.2f", [7/8]),
io:format("~.2f~n", [7/8]).
clojure
(format "%3.2f" (/ 7.0 8))
(* 0.01 (Math/round (* 100 (float (/ 7 8)))))

Left Space pad a number

Given the number 73 left pad it to 10 characters "        73"
groovy
println 73.toString().padLeft(10)
printf "%10d\n", 73
erlang
Formatted = io_lib:format("~10B", [73]),
io:format("~10B~n", [73]).
clojure
(let [s (str 73)
l (count s)]
(str (reduce str (repeat (- 10 l) " ")) s ))

Generate a random integer in a given range

Produce a random integer between 100 and 200 inclusive
groovy
random = new Random()
randomInt = random.nextInt(200-100+1)+100
erlang
RandomInt = gen_rand_integer(100, 200),
clojure
(+ (rand-int (- 201 100)) 100)

Generate a repeatable random number sequence

Initialise a random number generator with a seed and generate five decimal values. Reset the seed and produce the same values.
groovy
random = new Random(12345)
orig = (1..5).collect { random.nextInt(200-100+1)+100 }
random = new Random(12345)
repeat = (1..5).collect { random.nextInt(200-100+1)+100 }
assert orig == repeat
erlang
setRNG(RNGState),
io:format("~w~n", [lists:map(fun (_) -> gen_rand_integer(100, 200) end, lists:seq(1, 5))]),

setRNG(RNGState),
io:format("~w~n", [lists:map(fun (_) -> gen_rand_integer(100, 200) end, lists:seq(1, 5))]).
clojure
(dotimes [_ 2]
(let [r (java.util.Random. 12345)]
(dotimes [_ 5]
(println (.nextInt r 100))))
(println))

Check if a string matches a regular expression

Display "ok" if "Hello" matches /[A-Z][a-z]+/
groovy
if ("Hello" =~ /[A-Z][a-z]+/) println 'ok'
if ("Hello".find(/[A-Z][a-z]+/)) println 'ok'
// with precompiled regex
def regex = ~/[A-Z][a-z]+/
if ("Hello".find(regex)) println 'ok'
// with precompiled regex
def regex = ~/[A-Z][a-z]+/
if ("Hello".matches(regex)) println 'ok'
if ("Hello".matches("[A-Z][a-z]+")) println 'ok'
erlang
String = "Hello", Regexp = "[A-Z][a-z]+",
is_match(String, Regexp) andalso (begin io:format("ok~n"), true end).
case re:run("Hello", "[A-Z][a-z]+") of {match, _} -> ok end.
clojure
(if (re-matches #"[A-Z][a-z]+" "Hello")
(println "ok"))

Check if a string matches with groups

Display "two" if "one two three" matches /one (.*) three/
groovy
matcher = ("one two three" =~ /one (.*) three/)
if (matcher) println matcher[0][1]
match = "one two three".find("one (.*) three") { it[1] }
if (match) println match
erlang
case re:run("one two three", "one (.*) three", [{capture, [1], list}]) of {match, Res} -> hd(Res) end.
clojure
(if-let [groups (re-matches #"one (.*) three" "one two three")]
(println (second groups)))

Check if a string contains a match to a regular expression

Display "ok" if "abc 123 @#$" matches /\d+/
groovy
if ('abc 123 @#$' =~ /\d+/) println 'ok'
if ('abc 123 @#$'.find(/\d+/)) println 'ok'
erlang
% Erlang uses 'egrep'-compatible regular expressions, so shortcuts like '\d' not supported
String = "abc 123 @#$", Regexp = "[0-9]+",
is_match(String, Regexp) andalso (begin io:format("ok~n"), true end).
case re:run("abc 123 @#$", "\\d+") of {match, _} -> ok end.
clojure
(if (re-find #"\d+" "abc 123 @#$")
(println "ok"))

Loop through a string matching a regex and performing an action for each match

Create a list [fish1,cow3,boat4] when matching "(fish):1 sausage (cow):3 tree (boat):4" with regex /\((\w+)\):(\d+)/
groovy
list = (text =~ /\((\w+)\):(\d+)/).collect{ it[1] + it[2] }
list = []
text.eachMatch(/\((\w+)\):(\d+)/){
list << it[1] + it[2]
}
list = []
text.eachMatch(/\((\w+)\):(\d+)/){ m, name, number ->
list << "$name$number"
}
list = (text =~ /\((\w+)\):(\d+)/).collect{ all, name, num -> "$name$num" }
list = text.findAll(regex){ _, name, num -> "$name$num" }
list = text.findAll(regex){ it[1] + it[2] }
erlang
solve(S) ->
R = "\\((\\w+?)\\):(\\d+)",
{match, M} = re:run(S,R, [global, {capture, all_but_first, list}]),
[ A++N || [A, N] <- M].
clojure
(let [matcher (re-matcher #"\((\w+)\):(\d+)" "(fish):1 sausage (cow):3 tree (boat):4")]
(loop [match (re-find matcher)
lst []]
(if match
(recur (re-find matcher) (conj lst (str (second match) (nth match 2))))
lst)))

Replace the first regex match in a string with a static string

Transform "Red Green Blue" into "R*d Green Blue" by replacing /e/ with "*"
groovy
replaced = "Red Green Blue".replaceFirst("e", "*")
erlang
{ok, Replaced, _} = regexp:sub("Red Green Blue", "e", "*"),
re:replace("Red Green Blue", "e", "*", [{return, list}]).
clojure
(.replaceFirst (re-matcher #"e" "Red Green Blue") "*")

Replace all regex matches in a string with a static string

Transform "She sells sea shells" into "She X X shells" by replacing /se\w+/ with "X"
groovy
replaced = text.replaceAll(/se\w+/,"X")
erlang
% Erlang uses 'egrep'-compatible regular expressions, so shortcuts like '\w' not supported
{ok, Replaced, _} = regexp:gsub("She sells sea shells", "se[A-Za-z0-9_]+", "X"),
re:replace("She sells sea shells", "se\\w+", "X", [global, {return, list}]).
clojure
(.replaceAll (re-matcher #"se\w+" "She sells sea shells") "X")

Replace all regex matches in a string with a dynamic string

Transform "The {Quick} Brown {Fox}" into "The kciuQ Brown xoF" by reversing words in braces using the regex /\{(\w+)\}/.
groovy
replaced = "The {Quick} Brown {Fox}".replaceAll(/\{(\w+)\}/, { full, word -> word.reverse() } )
erlang
% Erlang regular expressions lack both group capture and backreferences, thus this problem is not directly
% solvable. Presented solution is close, but not on-spec

String = "The {Quick} Brown {Fox}",
{match, FieldList} = regexp:matches(String, "\{([A-Za-z0-9_]+)\}"),

NewString = lists:foldl(fun ({Start, Length}, S) -> replstr(S, lists:reverse(string:substr(S, Start, Length)), Start) end, String, FieldList),
clojure
(def *string* "The {Quick} Brown {Fox}")
(def *regex* (re-pattern #"\{(\w+)\}"))

(println
(loop [result ""
src *string*
replace-strs (re-seq *regex* *string*)]
(if (empty? src)
result
(let [[match replacement] (first replace-strs)]
(if (= (first src) (first match))
; At the beginning of a sequence that should be replaced.
; Do replacement of a single match
(recur (str result (apply str (reverse replacement)))
(drop (count match) src)
(rest replace-strs))
; else, just copy one char from the source to the result
(recur (str result (first src))
(rest src)
replace-strs))))))
(clojure.string/replace "The {Quick} Brown {Fox}"
#"\{(\w+)\}"
(fn [[_ word]] (apply str (reverse word))))

Define an empty list

Assign the variable "list" to a list with no elements
groovy
list = []
// if a special kind of list is required
list = new LinkedList() // java style
LinkedList list = [] // statically typed
// using 'as' operator
list = [] as java.util.concurrent.CopyOnWriteArrayList

erlang
List = [],
clojure
(list)
'()

Define a static list

Define the list [One, Two, Three, Four, Five]
groovy
list = ['One', 'Two', 'Three', 'Four', 'Five']
// other variations
List<String> numbers1 = ['One', 'Two', 'Three', 'Four', 'Five']
String[] numbers2 = ['One', 'Two', 'Three', 'Four', 'Five']
numbers3 = new LinkedList(['One', 'Two', 'Three', 'Four', 'Five'])
numbers4 = ['One', 'Two', 'Three', 'Four', 'Five'] as Stack // Groovy 1.6+
erlang
List = [one, two, three, four, five],
List = ['One', 'Two', 'Three', 'Four', 'Five'],
clojure
(def a '[One Two Three Four Five])

Join the elements of a list, separated by commas

Given the list [Apple, Banana, Carrot] produce "Apple, Banana, Carrot"
groovy
string = fruit.join(', ')
string = fruit.toString()[1..-2]
erlang
Result = string:join(Fruit, ", "),
Result = lists:foldl(fun (E, Acc) -> Acc ++ ", " ++ E end, hd(Fruit), tl(Fruit)),
Result = lists:flatten([ hd(Fruit) | [ ", " ++ X || X <- tl(Fruit)]]).
clojure
(apply str (interpose ", " '("Apple" "Banana" "Carrot")))

Join the elements of a list, in correct english

Create a function join that takes a List and produces a string containing an english language concatenation of the list. It should work with the following examples:
join([Apple, Banana, Carrot]) = "Apple, Banana, and Carrot"
join([One, Two]) = "One and Two"
join([Lonely]) = "Lonely"
join([]) = ""
groovy
def join(list) {
if (!list) return ''
switch(list.size()) {
case 1:
return list[0]
case 2:
return list.join(' and ')
default:
return list[0..-2].join(', ') + ', and ' + list[-1]
}
}
ArrayList.metaClass.joinEng = { ->
def closureMap = [0: { -> delegate.join(' and ')}, 1 : {-> delegate.join(' and ')}].withDefault { k -> { -> delegate[0..-2].join(', ') + ', and ' + delegate[-1] } }
if (delegate.size()) closureMap[delegate.size()-1].call()
else ""
}

assert ["a"].joinEng() == "a"
assert ["a", "b"].joinEng() == "a and b"
assert ["a", "b", "c"].joinEng() == "a, b, and c"
assert [].joinEng() == ""
erlang
io:format("~s~n", [join(Fruit)]).

% ------

join([]) -> "";
join([W|Ws]) -> join(Ws, W).

join([], S) -> S;
join([W], S) -> join([], S ++ " and " ++ W);
join([W|Ws], S) -> join(Ws, S ++ ", " ++ W).
%% According to the reference manual, "string is not a data type in Erlang."
%% Instead it has lists of integers. But I/O functions in general accept
%% IO lists, where an IO list is either a list of IO lists or an integer.
%% This gives you O(1) string concatenation.

-module(commalist).
-export([join/1]).

join([]) -> "";
join([W]) -> W;
join([W1, W2]) -> [W1, " and ", W2];
join([W1, W2, W3]) -> [W1, ", ", W2, ", and ", W3];
join([W1|Ws]) -> [W1, ", ", join(Ws)].

clojure
(defn join [lst]
(cond
(= (count lst) 0) ""
(= (count lst) 1) (first lst)
(= (count lst) 2) (str (first lst) " and " (second lst))
(> (count lst) 2) (loop [lst lst sb (StringBuilder.)]
(if (empty? lst)
(.toString sb)
(recur (rest lst) (.append sb (cond
(> (count lst) 2) (str (first lst) ", ")
(> (count lst) 1) (str (first lst) ", and ")
(= (count lst) 1) (str (first lst)))))))))
(defn join
([lst]
(join lst false))
([lst is-long]
(condp = (count lst)
0 ""
1 (first lst)
2 (str (first lst) (if is-long ",") " and " (second lst))
(str (first lst) ", " (join (rest lst) true)))))

Produce the combinations from two lists

Given two lists, produce the list of tuples formed by taking the combinations from the individual lists. E.g. given the letters ["a", "b", "c"] and the numbers [4, 5], produce the list: [["a", 4], ["b", 4], ["c", 4], ["a", 5], ["b", 5], ["c", 5]]
groovy
letters = ['a', 'b', 'c']
numbers = [4, 5]
combos = [letters, numbers].combinations()
erlang
Combinations =
lists:foldl(fun (Number, Acc) -> Acc ++ lists:map(fun (Letter) -> {Letter, Number} end, Letters) end, [], Numbers),
Combinations = lists:keysort(2, sofs:to_external(sofs:product(sofs:set(Letters), sofs:set(Numbers))))
[[A, B] || A <- ["a", "b", "c"], B <- [4, 5]].

clojure
(defn combine [lst1 lst2]
(mapcat (fn [x] (map #(list % x) lst1)) lst2))
(mapcat (fn [x] (map #(list % x) ["a", "b", "c"])) [4, 5])

From a List Produce a List of Duplicate Entries

Taking a list:
["andrew", "bob", "chris", "bob"]

Write the code to produce a list of duplicates in the list:
["bob"]
groovy
def input = ["andrew", "bob", "chris", "bob"]

def output = input.findAll{input.count(it)>1}.unique()

assert output == ["bob"]
erlang
{_, Result} = lists:foldl(
fun(X, {Uniq, Dupl}) -> case lists:member(X, Uniq) of
true -> {Uniq,[X | Dupl]};
_ -> {[X | Uniq], Dupl}
end
end,
{[], []},
List),
Fun = fun
([X | Xs], F) -> case lists:member(X, Xs) of
true -> [X | F(Xs, F)];
_ -> F(Xs, F)
end;
([], _) -> []
end,
Result = Fun(List, Fun).
clojure
(->> '("andrew" "bob" "chris" "bob")
(group-by identity)
(filter #(> (count (second %)) 1))
(map first))

Fetch an element of a list by index

Given the list [One, Two, Three, Four, Five], fetch the third element ('Three')
groovy
list = ['One', 'Two', 'Three', 'Four', 'Five']
result = list[2] // index starts at 0
erlang
Result = lists:nth(3, List),
Result = element(3, list_to_tuple(List)),
{Left, _} = lists:split(3, List), Result = lists:last(Left),
Result = nth0(2, List),
clojure
(nth '[One Two Three Four Five] 2)

Fetch the last element of a list

Given the list [Red, Green, Blue], access the last element ('Blue')
groovy
list = ['Red', 'Green', 'Blue']
result = list[-1]
erlang
Result = lists:last(List),
Result = last(List),
Result = hd(lists:reverse(List)),
Result = lists:nth(length(List), List),
clojure
(last '[One Two Three Four Five])

Find the common items in two lists

Given two lists, find the common items. E.g. given beans = ['broad', 'mung', 'black', 'red', 'white'] and colors = ['black', 'red', 'blue', 'green'], what are the bean varieties that are also color names?
groovy
beans = ['broad', 'mung', 'black', 'red', 'white']
colors = ['black', 'red', 'blue', 'green']
common = beans.intersect(colors)
assert common == ['black', 'red']
erlang
Beans = sets:from_list([broad, mung, black, red, white]), Colors = sets:from_list([black, red, blue, green]),

Common = sets:to_list(sets:intersection(Beans, Colors)),
clojure
(use 'clojure.set)

(let [beans '[broad mung black red white]
colors '[black red blue green]]
(intersection (set beans) (set colors)))

Display the unique items in a list

Display the unique items in a list, e.g. given ages = [18, 16, 17, 18, 16, 19, 14, 17, 19, 18], display the unique elements, i.e. with duplicates removed.
groovy
ages = [18, 16, 17, 18, 16, 19, 14, 17, 19, 18]
println ages.unique()
ages = [18, 16, 17, 18, 16, 19, 14, 17, 19, 18]
unique = ages as Set
println unique
erlang
Ages = sets:to_list(sets:from_list([18, 16, 17, 18, 16, 19, 14, 17, 19, 18])), io:format("~w~n", [Ages]).
lists:usort([18, 16, 17, 18, 16, 19, 14, 17, 19, 18]).
clojure
;; returns a set
(set [18, 16, 17, 18, 16, 19, 14, 17, 19, 18])
;;#{14 16 17 18 19}

;; returns a lazy sequence of the unique elements
(distinct [18, 16, 17, 18, 16, 19, 14, 17, 19, 18])
;;(18 16 17 19 14)


Remove an element from a list by index

Given the list [Apple, Banana, Carrot], remove the first element to produce the list [Banana, Carrot]
groovy
// to produce a new list
newlist = list.tail() // for 'Apple' at start
newlist = list - 'Apple' // for 'Apple' anywhere
// mutate original list
list.remove(0)
erlang
Result = tl(List),
[_|Result] = List,
N = 1, {Left, Right} = lists:split(N - 1, List), Result = Left ++ tl(Right),
Result = drop(1, List),
clojure
(let [fruit ["Apple" "Banana" "Carrot"]
index 0]
(concat
(take index fruit)
(drop (+ index 1) fruit)))

Remove the last element of a list

groovy
list = ['Apple', 'Banana', 'Carrot']
// to produce a new list
newlist = list[0,1]
// to modify original list
list.remove(2)
erlang
Result = init(List),
Result = take(length(List) - 1, List),
Result = lists:reverse(tl(lists:reverse(List))),
clojure
(pop ["Apple" "Banana" "Carrot"])

Rotate a list

Given a list ["apple", "orange", "grapes", "bananas"], rotate it by removing the first item and placing it on the end to yield ["orange", "grapes", "bananas", "apple"]
groovy
first = items.head()
items = items.tail() + first
items = items[1..-1] + items[0]
items = items + items.remove(0)
erlang
N = 1, {Left, Right} = lists:split(N, List), Result = Right ++ Left,
N = 1, Result = rotate(N, List),
clojure
(let [fruit ["apple" "orange" "grapes" "bananas"]]
(concat (rest fruit) [(first fruit)])

Gather together corresponding elements from multiple lists

Given several lists, gather together the first element from every list, the second element from every list, and so on for all corresponding index values in the lists. E.g. for these three lists, first = ['Bruce', 'Tommy Lee', 'Bruce'], last = ['Willis', 'Jones', 'Lee'], years = [1955, 1946, 1940] the result should produce 3 actors. The middle actor should be Tommy Lee Jones.
groovy
first = ['Bruce', 'Tommy Lee', 'Bruce']
last = ['Willis', 'Jones', 'Lee']
years = [1955, 1946, 1940]
actors = [first, last, years].transpose()
assert actors.size() == 3
assert actors[1] == ['Tommy Lee', 'Jones', 1946]
erlang
First = ['Bruce', 'Tommy Lee', 'Bruce'], Last = ['Willis', 'Jones', 'Lee'], Years = [1955, 1946, 1940],

Result = lists:zip3(First, Last, Years),
clojure
(defn gatherer [listOfLists]
(if (empty? (first listOfLists))
() ; the base case for recursion
(cons
(map first listOfLists) ; get the first element of each of the lists
(gatherer (map rest listOfLists)) ; gather all the subsequent ones
)
)
)

(def firstnames '("Bruce" "Tommy Lee" "Bruce"))
(def lastnames '("Willis" "Jones" "Lee"))
(def years '(1955 1946 1940))

(println (gatherer [firstnames lastnames years]))

; -> ((Bruce Willis 1955) (Tommy Lee Jones 1946) (Bruce Lee 1940))
(def firstnames ["Bruce" "Tommy Lee" "Bruce"])
(def lastnames ["Willis" "Jones" "Lee"])
(def years [1955 1946 1940])
(println (map (fn [f l y] [f l y]) firstnames lastnames years))

List Combinations

Given two source lists (or sets), generate a list (or set) of all the pairs derived by combining elements from the individual lists (sets). E.g. given suites = ['H', 'D', 'C', 'S'] and faces = ['2', '3', '4', '5', '6', '7', '8', '9', '10', 'J', 'Q', 'K', 'A'], generate the deck of 52 cards, confirm the deck size and check it contains an expected card, say 'Ace of Hearts'.
groovy
faces = ['2', '3', '4', '5', '6', '7', '8', '9', '10', 'J', 'Q', 'K', 'A']
suites = ['H', 'D', 'C', 'S']
deck = [faces, suites].combinations()
assert deck.size() == 52
assert ['A', 'H'] in deck
erlang
Cards = lists:foldl(fun (Suite, Acc) -> Acc ++ lists:flatmap(fun (Face) -> [{Suite, Face}] end, Faces) end, [], Suites),

io:format("Deck has ~B cards~n", [length(Cards)]),
IsMember = lists:member({h, 'A'}, Cards),
io:format("~s~n", [if IsMember -> "Deck contains 'Ace of Hearts'" ; true -> "'Ace of Hearts' not in deck" end]),
Cards = sofs:to_external(sofs:product(sofs:set(Suites), sofs:set(Faces))),

io:format("Deck has ~B cards~n", [length(Cards)]),
IsMember = lists:member({h, 'A'}, Cards),
io:format("~s~n", [if IsMember -> "Deck contains 'Ace of Hearts'" ; true -> "'Ace of Hearts' not in deck" end]),
Deck2 = [{S, V} || S <- [d, c, h, s], V <- [2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 'J', 'Q', 'K', 'A']],
52 = length(Deck2),
true = lists:member({h, 'A'}, Deck2).

clojure
(def suites ["H" "D" "C" "S"])
(def faces [2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "J" "Q" "K" "A"])
(defn listCards [] (for [s suites f faces] [f s]))
(some (partial = ["A" "H"]) (listCards))
; -> true
(count (listCards))
; -> 52

Perform an operation on every item of a list

Perform an operation on every item of a list, e.g.
for the list ["ox", "cat", "deer", "whale"] calculate
the list of sizes of the strings, e.g. [2, 3, 4, 5]
groovy
animals = ["ox", "cat", "deer", "whale"]
assert animals*.size() == [2, 3, 4, 5]
erlang
lists:map(fun (X) ->length(X) end, List).
clojure
(map count ["ox" "cat" "deer" "whale"])

Split a list of things into numbers and non-numbers

Given a list that might contain e.g. a string, an integer, a float and a date,
split the list into numbers and non-numbers.
groovy
now = new Date()
things = ["hello", 25, 3.14, now]
(numbers, others) = things.split{ it instanceof Number }
assert numbers == [25, 3.14]
assert others == ["hello", now]
erlang
% Wrapped call to the auxiliary function
number_split(Xs) ->
number_split(Xs, [], []).

% The auxiliary function
number_split([], Num, NonNum) ->
{Num, NonNum};
number_split([X|Xs], Num, NonNum) ->
case is_number(X) of
true ->
number_split(Xs, [X|Num], NonNum);
false ->
number_split(Xs, Num, [X|NonNum])
end.
List = ["hello", 25, 3.14, calendar:local_time()],
{Numbers, NonNumbers} = lists:partition(fun(E) -> is_number(E) end, List)
clojure
(def jumble [3 "Bill" 5.7 '("A" "B" "C")]) ; int, string, float, list

(defn numberNonNumberSorter [jumbledList]
(if (empty? jumbledList)
(hash-map :numbers [], :nonnumbers []) ; recursion base case - return two empty lists
(let [head (first jumbledList)] ; let <head> be the first element in the list
(let [tailresult (numberNonNumberSorter (rest jumbledList))] ; tailresult applies recursively to the remainder
(if (number? head) ; is head a number?
(hash-map
:numbers (cons head (tailresult :numbers)) ; add <head> to the numbers
:nonnumbers (tailresult :nonnumbers)) ; leave nonnumbers the same
(hash-map
:numbers (tailresult :numbers) ; leave numbers the same
:nonnumbers (cons head (tailresult :nonnumbers))) ; add <head> to nonnumbers
)
)
)
)
)

(println (numberNonNumberSorter jumble))

; -> {:nonnumbers (Bill (A B C)), :numbers (3 5.7)}
(group-by number? ["hello" 42 3.14 (Date.)])

Test if a condition holds for all items of a list

Given a list, test if a certain logical condition (i.e. predicate) holds for all items of the list.
groovy
[2,3,4].every{it > 1}
erlang
Result = lists:all(Pred, List).
clojure
(every? #(> % 1) [2 3 4])

Test if a condition holds for any items of a list

Given a list, test if a certain logical condition (i.e. predicate) holds for any items of the list.
groovy
[2,3,4].any{it > 3}
erlang
Result = lists:any(Pred, List).
clojure
; The standard library in Clojure has "not-any?" but (oddly enough) no "any?"
(defn any? [pred coll]
((complement not-any?) pred coll))

(any? #(> % 3) [2 3 4])
(some #(> % 3) [2 3 4])

Define an empty map

groovy
def map = [:]
Map map = new HashMap();
erlang
Map = dict:new(),
Map = orddict:new(),
Map = gb_trees:empty(),
Map = ets:new(the_map_name, [set, private, {keypos, 1}]),
clojure
(def m {})

Define an unmodifiable empty map

groovy
empty = Collections.EMPTY_MAP
map = [:].asImmutable()
def empty = MapUtils.EMPTY_SORTED_MAP
def empty = ImmutableMap.of()
erlang

% Erlang data structures are immutable - updating a 'map' sees a modified copy created
Map = dict:new(),
clojure
; Clojure maps are immutable
(def m {})

Define an initial map

Define the map {circle:1, triangle:3, square:4}
groovy
shapes = [circle:1, triangle:3, square:4]
// if you require a specific type of map ...
LinkedHashMap shapes1 = [circle:1, triangle:3, square:4]
Properties shapes2 = [circle:1, triangle:3, square:4]
TreeMap shapes3 = [circle:1, triangle:3, square:4]
shapes4 = [circle:1, triangle:3, square:4] as ConcurrentHashMap // as variation
erlang
Map = dict:from_list([{circle, 1}, {triangle, 3}, {square, 4}]),
Map0 = dict:new(),

% Erlang variables are 'single-assignment' i.e. they cannot be reassigned
Map1 = dict:store(circle, 1, Map0),
Map2 = dict:store(triangle, 3, Map1),
Map3 = dict:store(square, 4, Map2),
Map0 = gb_trees:empty(),

Map1 = gb_trees:enter(circle, 1, Map0),
Map2 = gb_trees:enter(triangle, 3, Map1),
Map3 = gb_trees:enter(square, 4, Map2),
Map = gb_trees:from_orddict(lists:keysort(1, [{circle, 1}, {triangle, 3}, {square, 4}])),
Map = ets:new(the_map_name, [ordered_set, private, {keypos, 1}]),
ets:insert(Map, [{circle, 1}, {triangle, 3}, {square, 4}]),
clojure
(def m '{circle 1 triangle 1 square 4})

Check if a key exists in a map

Given a map pets {joe:cat,mary:turtle,bill:canary} print "ok" if an pet exists for "mary"
groovy
pets = [joe:'cat', mary:'turtle', bill:'canary']
if(pets.containsKey('mary')) println 'ok'
pets = [joe:'cat', mary:'turtle', bill:'canary']
if(pets.mary) println 'ok'
erlang
dict:is_key(mary, Pets) andalso begin io:format("ok~n"), true end.
IsMember = ets:member(Pets, mary), if (IsMember) -> io:format("ok~n") ; true -> false end.
case gb_trees:lookup(mary, Pets) of none -> false ; _ -> io:format("ok~n") end.
clojure
(if (contains? '{joe cat mary turtle bill canary} 'mary)
(println "ok"))

Retrieve a value from a map

Given a map pets {joe:cat,mary:turtle,bill:canary} print the pet for "joe" ("cat")
groovy
pets = [joe:'cat', mary:'turtle', bill:'canary']
assert pets['joe'] == 'cat'
assert pets.joe == 'cat'
erlang
dict:is_key(joe, Pets) andalso begin io:format("~w~n", [dict:fetch(joe, Pets)]), true end.
case dict:find(joe, Pets) of error -> false ; {ok, Pet} -> io:format("~w~n", [Pet]) end.
IsMember = ets:member(Pets, joe), if (IsMember) -> io:format("~w~n", [ets:lookup_element(Pets, joe, 2)]) ; true -> false end.
case ets:match(Pets, {joe, '$1'}) of [] -> false ; [[Pet]] -> io:format("~w~n", [Pet]) end.
case gb_trees:lookup(joe, Pets) of none -> false ; {value, Pet} -> io:format("~w~n", [Pet]) end.
clojure
(def pets '{joe cat mary turtle bill canary})

(println (get pets 'joe))

Add an entry to a map

Given an empty pets map, add the mapping from "rob" to "dog"
groovy
pets['rob'] = 'dog'
pets.rob = 'dog'
pets.put('rob', 'dog')
erlang
Pets1 = dict:store(rob, dog, Pets0).
ets:insert(Pets, {rob, dog}).
Pets1 = gb_trees:enter(rob, dog, Pets0).
clojure
(assoc {} 'rob 'dog)

Remove an entry from a map

Given a map pets {joe:cat,mary:turtle,bill:canary} remove the mapping for "bill" and print "canary"
groovy
pets = [joe:'cat', mary:'turtle', bill:'canary']
println pets.remove('bill')
erlang
Pet = dict:fetch(bill, Pets0), Pets1 = dict:erase(bill, Pets0), io:format("~w~n", [Pet]),
Pet = ets:lookup_element(Pets, bill, 2), ets:delete(Pets, bill), io:format("~w~n", [Pet]),
{value, Pet} = gb_trees:lookup(bill, Pets0), Pets1 = gb_trees:delete(bill, Pets0), io:format("~w~n", [Pet]),
clojure
; Maps are immutable
; The following expression will return a new map without the 'bill key
(let [pets '{joe cat mary turtle bill canary}]
(println (get pets 'bill))
(dissoc pets 'bill))

Create a histogram map from a list

Given the list [a,b,a,c,b,b], produce a map {a:2, b:3, c:1} which contains the count of each unique item in the list
groovy
histogram = [:]
list.each { item ->
if (!histogram.containsKey(item)) histogram[item] = 0
histogram[item]++
}
histogram = [:]
list.each { histogram[it] = (histogram[it] ?: 0) + 1 }
erlang
% Imperative Solution
Histogram = histogram(List),
% Functional (1) Solution
Histogram = histogram(List),
lists:foldl(fun(Elem, OldDict) ->
dict:update_counter(Elem, 1, OldDict)
end,
dict:new(),
[a,b,a,c,b,b])).
clojure
(let [l '[a b a c b b]]
(loop [m {}
d (distinct l)]
(let [item (first d)]
(if (zero? (count d))
m
(recur
(assoc m
item
(count
(filter #(= item %) l)))
(rest d))))))
(->> [:a :b :a :c :b :b]
(group-by identity)
(reduce (fn [m e] (assoc m (first e) (count (second e)))) {}))
(reduce conj {} (for [[x xs] (group-by identity "abacbb")] [x (count xs)]))
(frequencies ["a","b","a","c","b","b"])
(frequencies '[a b a c b b])

Categorise a list

Given the list [one, two, three, four, five] produce a map {3:[one, two], 4:[four, five], 5:[three]} which sorts elements into map entries based on their length
groovy
map = ['one', 'two', 'three', 'four', 'five'].groupBy{ it.size() }
erlang
% Imperative Solution
CatList = categorise(List),
% Functional (1) Solution
CatList = categorise(List),
clojure
(loop [m {}
l ["one" "two" "three" "four" "five"]]
(if (zero? (count l))
m
(let [item (first l)
key (count item)]
(recur
(assoc m key (cons item (get m key [])))
(rest l)))))
(group-by count ["one" "two" "three" "four" "five"])

Perform an action if a condition is true (IF .. THEN)

Given a variable name, if the value is "Bob", display the string "Hello, Bob!". Perform no action if the name is not equal.
groovy
if (name=='Bob')
println "Hello, Bob!"
erlang
if (Name == "Bob") -> io:format("Hello, ~s!~n", [Name]) ; true -> false end.
case Name of "Bob" -> io:format("Hello, ~s!~n", [Name]) ; _ -> false end.
Name == "Bob" andalso (begin io:format("Hello, ~s!~n", [Name]), true end).
clojure
(def person "Bob")
(if (= person "Bob")
(println "Hello, Bob!"))

Perform different actions depending on a boolean condition (IF .. THEN .. ELSE)

Given a variable age, if the value is greater than 42 display "You are old", otherwise display "You are young"
groovy
if (age > 42)
println "You are old"
else
println "You are young"
println "You are " + (age > 42 ? "old" : "young")
erlang
if Age > 42 -> io:format("You are old~n") ; true -> io:format("You are young~n") end.
Message = if Age > 42 -> "old" ; true -> "young" end, io:format("You are ~s~n", [Message]).
case Age > 42 of true -> io:format("You are old~n") ; false -> io:format("You are young~n") end.
case Age of _ when Age > 42 -> io:format("You are old~n") ; _ -> io:format("You are young~n") end.
Message = case Age of _ when Age > 42 -> "old" ; _ -> "young" end, io:format("You are ~s~n", [Message]).
Age > 42 andalso (begin io:format("You are old~n"), true end) orelse (begin io:format("You are young~n"), true end).
(fun (X) when X > 42 -> io:format("You are old~n"); (_) -> io:format("You are young~n") end)(Age).
(fun () when Age > 42 -> io:format("You are old~n"); () -> io:format("You are young~n") end)().
io:format("You are ~s~n", [if Age > 42 -> "old" ; true -> "young" end]).
clojure
(def age 41)
(if (> age 42) "You are old" "You are young")

Perform different actions depending on several boolean conditions (IF .. THEN .. ELSIF .. ELSE)

groovy
if (age > 84)
println "You are really ancient"
else if (age > 30)
println "You are middle-aged"
else
println "You are young"
erlang
if
Age > 84 -> io:format("You are really ancient~n");
Age > 30 -> io:format("You are middle-aged~n");
true -> io:format("You are young~n")
end.
case Age of
_ when Age > 84 -> io:format("You are really ancient~n");
_ when Age > 30 -> io:format("You are middle-aged~n");
true -> io:format("You are young~n")
end.
clojure
(println
(condp <= age
84 "You are really ancient"
30 "You are middle aged"
"You are young"))

Replacing a conditional with many branches with a switch/case statement

Many languages support more compact forms of branching than just if ... then ... else such as switch or case or match. Use such a form to add an appropriate placing suffix to the numbers 1..40, e.g. 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, ..., 11th, 12th, ... 39th, 40th
groovy
def suffix(n) {
switch(n) {
case { n % 100 in 4..20 } : return 'th'
case { n % 10 == 1 } : return 'st'
case { n % 10 == 2 } : return 'nd'
case { n % 10 == 3 } : return 'rd'
default : return 'th'
}
}
(1..40).each { n ->
println "$n${suffix(n)}"
}
erlang
Suffix = case Num of
N when N > 10, N < 20 -> "th";
N when N rem 10 =:= 1 -> "st";
N when N rem 10 =:= 2 -> "nd";
N when N rem 10 =:= 3 -> "rd";
_ -> "th"
end,
io_lib:format("~w~s", [Num, Suffix])
clojure
(def n 112)

(println (str n
(let [rem (mod n 100)]
(if (and (>= rem 11) (<= rem 13))
"th"
(condp = (mod n 10)
1 "st"
2 "nd"
3 "rd"
"th")))))

Perform an action multiple times based on a boolean condition, checked before the first action (WHILE .. DO)

Starting with a variable x=1, Print the sequence "1,2,4,8,16,32,64,128," by doubling x and checking that x is less than 150.
groovy
x = 1
while (x < 150) {
print x + ","
x *= 2
}
println()
erlang
X = 1, print_while_X_less_150(X).
Pred = fun (X) -> X < 150 end,
Action = fun (X) -> io:format("~B,", [X]), X * 2 end,
X = 1,

while_do(Pred, Action, X).
clojure
(take-while #(< % 150) (iterate #(* 2 %) 1))

Perform an action multiple times based on a boolean condition, checked after the first action (DO .. WHILE)

Simulate rolling a die until you get a six. Produce random numbers, printing them until a six is rolled. An example output might be "4,2,1,2,6"
groovy
// Groovy has no do..while; use a normal while
int dice = 0
while (dice != 6) {
dice = Math.random() * 6 + 1
print dice
if (dice != 6) print ','
}
erlang
Pred = fun (DiceRoll) -> DiceRoll =/= 6 end,
Action = fun (DiceRoll) -> io:format("~B,", [DiceRoll]), dice_roll() end,

do_while(Pred, Action, dice_roll()).
-module(dice).
-export([start/0]).

start() ->
roll(dice_roll()).

roll(6) ->
io:format("6~n", []);
roll(N) ->
io:format("~B,", [N]),
roll(dice_roll()).

dice_roll() -> random:uniform(6).
clojure
(loop [r (rand-int 6)]
(if (= r 5)
nil
(do
(println r)
(recur (rand-int 6)))))

Perform an action a fixed number of times (FOR)

Display the string "Hello" five times like "HelloHelloHelloHelloHello"
groovy
println "Hello" * 5
5.times { print "Hello" }; println()
erlang
dotimes(5, fun () -> io:format("Hello") end).
lists:foreach(fun (_) -> io:format("Hello") end, lists:seq(1, 5)).
clojure
(dotimes [_ 5]
(print "Hello"))

Perform an action a fixed number of times with a counter

Display the string "10 .. 9 .. 8 .. 7 .. 6 .. 5 .. 4 .. 3 .. 2 .. 1 .. Liftoff!"
groovy
10.downto(1) { print it + " .. " }
println "Liftoff!"
erlang
fromto(10, 1, -1, fun (X) -> io:format("~B .. ", [X]) end), io:format("Liftoff!~n").
lists:foreach(fun (X) -> io:format("~B .. ", [X]) end, lists:seq(10, 1, -1)), io:format("Liftoff!~n").
clojure
(dotimes [i 10]
(print (str (- 10 i) " .. ")))

(println "Liftoff!")

Read the contents of a file into a string

groovy
contents = file.text
erlang
Text = readfile("Solution607.erl"),
Text = readfile("Solution608.erl"),
clojure
(slurp "/tmp/foobar")

Process a file one line at a time

Open the source file to your solution and print each line in the file, prefixed by the line number, like:
1> First line of file
2> Second line of file
3> Third line of file
groovy
int count = 0
file.eachLine { line ->
println "${++count} > $line"
}
file.eachLine { line, count ->
println "${++count} > $line"
}
erlang
Reader = fun (IODevice) -> io:get_line(IODevice, "") end,
Worker = fun (Line, N) -> io:format("~B> ~s", [N, Line]), N + 1 end,

while_not_eof("Solution609.erl", Reader, Worker, 1).
Reader = fun (Filename) -> {ok, Contents} = file:read_file(Filename), Contents end,
Transformer = fun (Line, N) -> string:concat(string:concat(integer_to_list(N), "> "), Line) end,
Printer = fun (Line) -> io:format("~s~n", [Line]) end,

Lines = string:tokens(binary_to_list(Reader("Solution610.erl")), "\n"),
NewLines = lists:zipwith(Transformer, Lines, lists:seq(1, length(Lines))),
lists:foreach(Printer, NewLines).
clojure
(defn read-line-by-line [fn]
(reduce str (map (partial format "%d> %s\n")
(iterate inc 1)
(read-lines fn))))

Write a string to a file

groovy
file.delete()
file << 'some text'
file.text = 'some text'
erlang
Line = "This line overwites file contents!\n",
{ok, IODevice} = file:open("test.txt", [write]), file:write(IODevice, Line), file:close(IODevice).
clojure
(with-out-writer "output.txt" (println "Hello file!"))

Append to a file

groovy
file << 'some text'
erlang
Line = "This line appended to file!\n",
{ok, IODevice} = file:open("test.txt", [append]), file:write(IODevice, Line), file:close(IODevice).
clojure
(with-out-append-writer "output.txt" (println "This is appended to the file"))

Process each file in a directory

groovy
dir.eachFile{ f -> process(f) }
erlang
% File basenames only - many tasks require absolute paths to work
lists:foreach(fun (FileOrDirPath) -> Worker(FileOrDirPath) end, file:list_dir(Directory)).
% Absolute paths provided - will accomodate most tasks
lists:foreach(fun (FileOrDirPath) -> Worker(FileOrDirPath) end, list_dir_path(Directory)).
clojure
; (defn process-file [f] "process one file" body...)
(map process-file (.listFiles (File. ".")))

Process each file in a directory recursively

groovy
dir.eachFileRecurse{ f -> process(f) }
erlang
filelib:fold_files(Directory, ".*", true, fun (FileOrDirPath, Acc) -> Worker(FileOrDirPath), Acc end, []).
process_dir(Directory, Worker).
clojure
; (defn process-file [f] "process one file" body...)
(map process-file (file-seq (File. ".")))

Parse a date and time from a string

Given the string "2008-05-06 13:29", parse it as a date representing 6th March, 2008 1:29:00pm in the local time zone.
groovy
def date = new SimpleDateFormat("yyy-MM-dd HH:mm").parse("2008-05-06 13:29")
def date = Date.parse("yyy-MM-dd HH:mm", "2008-05-06 13:29")
erlang
% AFAIK, no datetime-parsing library exists; 'parse_to_datetime' is a simplistic, problem-specific hack
LocalDateTime = erlang:universaltime_to_localtime(parse_to_datetime("2008-05-06 13:29:34")),
clojure
(.. (SimpleDateFormat. "yyyy-MM-dd HH:mm")
(parse "2008-05-06 13:29"))

Display the current date and time

Create a Date object representing the current date and time. Print it out.
If you can also do this without creating a Date object you can show that too.
groovy
println new Date()
erlang
io:format("~p~n", [calendar:local_time()])
clojure
(import 'java.util.Date)

(println (str (Date.)))
OOP

Define a class

Declare a class named Greeter that takes a string on creation and greets using this string if you call the "greet" method.
groovy
// version using named parameters
class Greeter {
def whom
def greet() { println "Hello, $whom" }
}
new Greeter(whom:'world').greet()
// version using traditional constructor
class Greeter {
private whom
Greeter(whom) { this.whom = whom }
def greet() { println "Hello, $whom" }
}
new Greeter('world').greet()
erlang
Greeter = make_greeter("world!"),
Greeter(greet).
clojure
(defprotocol IGreeter
(greet [this]))

(deftype Greeter [whom]
IGreeter
(greet [this]
(println (str "Hello, " whom))))

(greet (Greeter. "world"))
(defn greeter [whom]
{:whom whom})

(defn greet [g]
(println (str "Hello, " (:whom g))))

(greet (greeter "world"))

Check your language appears on the langref.org site

Your language name should appear within the HTML found at the http://langreg.org main page.
groovy
assert new URL('http://langref.org').text.contains('groovy')
erlang
URL = "http://langref.org/", Language = "erlang", Regexp = ".*" ++ URL ++ Language ++ ".*",

case http:request(URL) of
{ok, {_, _, Body}} ->
case regexp:first_match(Body, Regexp) of
{match, _, _} -> io:format("Language ~s exists @ ~s~n", [Language, URL]);
_ -> false
end;
{error, ErrorInfo} -> throw("Error: " ++ http:format_error(ErrorInfo))
end,
clojure
(def *url* "http://langref.org/")
(def *lang* "clojure")

(with-open [ stream (.openStream (URL. *url*)) ]
(let [ body (str (line-seq (BufferedReader. (InputStreamReader. stream)))) ]
(str "Language " *lang* " does "
(if-not (re-matches (re-pattern (str ".*" *url* *lang* ".*")) body) "not ")
"exist")))
XML

Process an XML document

Given the XML Document:

<shopping>
  <item name="bread" quantity="3" price="2.50"/>
  <item name="milk" quantity="2" price="3.50"/>
</shopping>

Print out the total cost of the items, e.g. $14.50
groovy
printf '$%.2f\n', new XmlSlurper().parseText(xml).item.collect{
it.@quantity.toInteger() * it.@price.toFloat()
}.sum()
erlang
-include_lib("xmerl/include/xmerl.hrl").
-export([get_total/1]).

get_total(ShoppingList) ->
{XmlElt, _} = xmerl_scan:string(ShoppingList),
Items = xmerl_xpath:string("/shopping/item", XmlElt),
Total = lists:foldl(fun(Item, Tot) ->
[#xmlAttribute{value = PriceString}] = xmerl_xpath:string("/item/@price", Item),
{Price, _} = string:to_float(PriceString),
[#xmlAttribute{value = QuantityString}] = xmerl_xpath:string("/item/@quantity", Item),
{Quantity, _} = string:to_integer(QuantityString),
Tot + Price*Quantity
end,
0, Items),
io:format("$~.2f~n", [Total]).
clojure
(println (format "Total cost of items are $%#.2f"
(->> (xml-seq (parse *xml-input-stream*))
(filter #(= :item (:tag %))) ; Remove all but the item tags
(map :attrs) ; Keep the attributes
(map (fn [e] (str "(* " (:quantity e) " " (:price e) ")"))) ; Get the total price as a sexp
(map read-string) ; "(* quantity price)" -> (* quantity price)
(map eval) ; (* quantity price) -> quantity*price
(apply +)))) ; Sum all elements

create some XML programmatically

Given the following CSV:

bread,3,2.50
milk,2,3.50

Produce the equivalent information in XML, e.g.:

<shopping>
  <item name="bread" quantity="3" price="2.50" />
  <item name="milk" quantity="2" price="3.50" />
</shopping>
groovy
b = new groovy.xml.MarkupBuilder()
b.shopping {
csv.eachLine { line ->
(n, q, p) = line.split(',')
item(name:n, quantity:q, price:p)
}
}
// Groovy equivalent of Java JAXB solution
@XmlAccessorType(NONE)
class Item {
@XmlAttribute String name
@XmlAttribute Integer quantity
@XmlAttribute Double price
}

@XmlAccessorType(NONE)
@XmlRootElement
class Shopping {
@XmlElement Set<Item> items = []
}

Shopping shopping = new Shopping()
csvtext.eachLine{ line ->
(n, q, p) = line.split(',')
shopping.items << new Item(name:n, quantity:q.toInteger(), price:p.toDouble())
}
JAXB.marshal shopping, System.out
erlang
to_xml(ShoppingList) ->
Items = lists:map(fun(L) ->
[Name, Quantity, Price] = string:tokens(L, ","),
{item, [{name, Name}, {quantity, Quantity}, {price, Price}], []}
end, string:tokens(ShoppingList, "\n")),
xmerl:export_simple([{shopping, [], Items}], xmerl_xml).
clojure
(defn list->xml-item [lst]
(let [[name quantity price] (map str lst)]
{:tag :item
:attrs {:name name
:quantity quantity
:price price}}))

(defn cvs->xml [r]
(->> (map #(read-string (str "(" % ")")) (line-seq r))
(map list->xml-item)
(assoc {:tag :shopping} :content)
(emit)
(with-out-str)))

(println (cvs->xml *cvs-reader*))

Find all Pythagorean triangles with length or height less than or equal to 20

Pythagorean triangles are right angle triangles whose sides comply with the following equation:

a * a + b * b = c * c

where c represents the length of the hypotenuse, and a and b represent the lengths of the other two sides. Find all such triangles where a, b and c are non-zero integers with a and b less than or equal to 20. Sort your results by the size of the hypotenuse. The expected answer is:

[3, 4, 5]
[6, 8, 10]
[5, 12, 13]
[9, 12, 15]
[8, 15, 17]
[12, 16, 20]
[15, 20, 25]
groovy
Set results = []
for (x in 1..20)
for (y in x..20) {
def z = sqrt(x*x + y*y)
if (z.toInteger() == z) results << [x, y, z.toInteger()]
}
println results.sort{it[2]}.join('\n')
Set results = []
for (x in 1..20)
for (y in x..20) {
def z = sqrt(x*x + y*y)
if (z.toInteger() == z) results << [x, y, z.toInteger()]
}
println results.sort{it[2]}.join('\n')
erlang
find_all_pythagorean_triangles(L) ->
lists:sort(fun({_, _, H1}, {_, _, H2}) -> H1 =< H2 end,
[ { X, Y, Z } ||
X <- lists:seq(1,L),
Y <- lists:seq(1,L),
Z <- lists:seq(1,2*L),
X*X + Y*Y =:= Z*Z,
Y > X,
Z > Y
]).

main(_) ->
List = find_all_pythagorean_triangles(20).
clojure
(defn pythagorean [a b c] (= (+ (* a a) (* b b)) (* c c)))

(defn intsqrt [cc]
(. (. Math sqrt cc) intValue)
)

(defn triples [maxSize]
(filter not-empty
(for [a (range 1 20) b (range a 20)]
(let [c (intsqrt (+ (* a a) (* b b)))]
(if (pythagorean a b c)
[a b c]
()
)))))

(triples 20)
; -> ([3 4 5] [5 12 13] [6 8 10] [8 15 17] [9 12 15] [12 16 20] [15 20 25])

(defn sortByHypotenuse [triples]
(sort-by #(first (rest (rest %))) triples)
)

(sortByHypotenuse (triples 20))
; -> ([3 4 5] [6 8 10] [5 12 13] [9 12 15] [8 15 17] [12 16 20] [15 20 25])
(doseq [pt (sort-by #(% 2)
(for [a (range 1 21)
b (range a 21)
:let [aa+bb (+ (* a a) (* b b))
c (Math/round (Math/sqrt aa+bb))]
:when (= aa+bb (* c c))]
[a b c]))]
(println pt))

Greatest Common Divisor

Find the largest positive integer that divides two given numbers without a remainder. For example, the GCD of 8 and 12 is 4.

groovy
static def gcd(int i, int j) {
if (Math.min(i,j)==0) return Math.max(i,j)
else return gcd(Math.min(i,j),Math.abs(i-j))
}
erlang
-module(gcd).
-export([gcd/2]).

gcd(A, 0) -> A;
gcd(A, B) -> gcd(B, A rem B).
clojure
(defn gcd [a b]
(if (zero? b)
a
(recur b (mod b a))))

Create a multithreaded "Hello World"

Create a program which outputs the string "Hello World" to the console, multiple times, using separate threads or processes.

Example:

-Output-

Thread one says Hello World!
Thread two says Hello World!
Thread four says Hello World!
Thread three says Hello World!

-Notice that the threads can print in any order.
groovy
["one","two","three","four"].each { tid ->
Thread.start {
println "Thread $tid says Hello World!"
}
}
import static groovyx.gpars.Parallelizer.*
withParallelizer {
["one","two","three","four"].eachParallel {
println "Thread $it says Hello World!"
}
}
erlang
-module(spam).
-export([spam/1]).

spam(N) when N<5 ->
spawn(fun() -> io:format("Hello World from thread ~p~n",[N]) end),
spam(N+1);
spam(_) -> void.
clojure
(doseq [msg ["one" "two" "three" "four"]]
(future (println "Thread" msg "says Hello World!")))
(dorun (pmap #(println (str "Thread " % " says Hello World!")) '("one" "two" "three" "four")))
(dorun (map (fn [n] (.start (Thread. #(println (str "Thread " n " says Hello World!")))))
'("one" "two" "three" "four")))