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Elm, while technically not a framework, is a compile-to-Javascript language aimed at building games and other interactive applications. It falls under the Functional Reactive Programming paradigm, and allows users to build complex applications with very little code. As the code is functional, it tends to be more terse, testable, and reusable to a more granular level than code using other frameworks.
SpecsUpdate
Pros
Pro Great and simple way to learn Purely Functional Programming
You can try to apply some functional programming ideas in other languages that have an imperative basis, but you haven't seen the real power unless you tried it in the environment of purely functional programming. Elm is a simple language with great learning resources and easy graphical output, which makes it easy to explore the power of functional programming. Plus programming in Elm is very readable.
Pro Higher confidence in code correctness and quality
Pure functions, immutable data structures, amazing compiler, clean and homologous syntax used for HTML, logic, and optionally to replace CSS, elimination of entire classes of bugs so you don't even need most unit tests. These factors lead to better code, better programs, higher confidence, and ultimately, more satisfaction.
Pro Static module system
Elm uses easy to use modules.
Use:
import List
import List as L
import List exposing (..)
import List exposing ( map, foldl )
import Maybe exposing ( Maybe )
import Maybe exposing ( Maybe(..) )
import Maybe exposing ( Maybe(Just) )
Creation:
module MyModule exposing (foo, bar)
Cons
Con Harder to get buy-in from devs and mgmt
It's a total divergence from what most people are used to in the JS ecosystem. The change in syntax can be scary, the change in approaching problems can be scary. The fact that it's not backed by FANG can be scary. The fact that it's not v1.0 can be scary. The governance model and the deliberately slow release cadence can be scary. There are a couple harsh medium articles, hackernews/reddit posts out there made by people with an ax to grind that can be scary if you don't have a better picture of the Elm community, the tradeoffs that have been made, or the benefits to be had over other options. None of these are good reasons to write off further investigation of a great tech, but it happens.
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Flagged Pros + Cons
Out of Date Pros + Cons
Pro Good way to get introduced to Functional Reactive Programming
You may have already seen reactive programming in other languages, but functional reactive programming requires a purely function programming language like Elm. If you're doing any work on Graphical User Interfaces, you'll be interested in the patterns you can find in a language like Elm, which has built-in support for FRP.