Run1 python to scala translation fundamentals

Skill cxcscmu/SkillLearnBench/skills/b3-teacher-feedback-claude-haiku-4-5/python-scala-translation/run1_python-to-scala-translation-fundamentals

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Core principles for translating Python code to idiomatic Scala, including paradigm shifts from procedural/OOP to functional programming, type system differences, and structural refactoring strategies.

SKILL.md

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Key Translation Principles

1. Paradigm Shift

Python: Primarily imperative/OOP with optional functional features
Scala: Multi-paradigm, favors immutability and functional composition
Translation approach: Prefer immutable data structures, use case classes over mutable classes, leverage pattern matching and higher-order functions

2. Type System Differences

Python has runtime typing; Scala has compile-time type safety
Translate Python type hints to explicit Scala types
Use Scala's Option[T] instead of Python's None for optional values
Use sealed traits with case classes for sum types instead of Python's inheritance patterns

3. Collections and Data Structures

Python lists → Scala List, Seq, or Vector (immutable by default)
Python dicts → Scala Map
Python sets → Scala Set
Use appropriate collection methods from Scala stdlib rather than manual iteration

4. Error Handling

Python's try/except → Scala's try/catch or better: Option, Either, Try
Prefer composing error handling with functional constructs over imperative try/catch blocks
Never use bare Exception; be specific about exception types

5. Class and Function Design

Python classes with state → Scala case classes (immutable) or regular classes (when mutability necessary)
Python __init__ → Scala primary constructor or apply in companion object
Python instance methods → Scala methods; consider if they should be pure functions
Python module-level functions → Place in object (singleton) or as extension methods