Elixir & Phoenix: Scalable Backend Development · Lesson

Working with Enumerable Collections

Discover how to effectively manipulate lists, maps, and other enumerables using Elixir's `Enum` module.

Working with Enumerable Collections is a free Elixir & Phoenix: Scalable Backend Development lesson on CoddyKit — lesson 2 of 4. You can read the complete lesson below for free — then practise it hands-on in the browser with a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor. It is part of the Elixir & Phoenix: Scalable Backend Development learning path, one of 4 lessons in the course, and your progress syncs across the web and the CoddyKit app.

What are Enumerable Collections?

In Elixir, an enumerable is a data structure that you can iterate over, element by element. Think of them as containers for multiple values.

Elixir's powerful Enum module provides many functions to work with these collections efficiently.

Lists: Ordered collections of any data type.
Maps: Key-value stores.
Ranges: Sequences of numbers.

Understanding enumerables is key to functional programming in Elixir.

Working with Elixir Lists

Lists are perhaps the most common enumerable. They are ordered and can hold mixed data types.

Let's see a simple list:

defmodule ListExample do
  def run do
    my_list = [1, "hello", :atom, 4.5]
    IO.puts "My list: #{inspect my_list}"
  end
end

ListExample.run()

Exploring Maps as Enums

Maps store data in key-value pairs. While their primary use is lookup, they are also enumerable, meaning you can iterate over their key-value pairs.

When you iterate a map, each element is a tuple {key, value}.

defmodule MapExample do
  def run do
    my_map = %{name: "Alice", age: 30}
    IO.puts "My map: #{inspect my_map}"
  end
end

MapExample.run()

Introducing the `Enum` Module

The Enum module is Elixir's standard library for working with all types of enumerables. It provides a consistent interface for common operations.

Instead of writing loops, you use Enum functions to transform, filter, and aggregate collections in an immutable, functional way.

No changing data in place.
Functions return new collections.
Promotes clear and concise code.

Performing Actions with `Enum.each`

Enum.each/2 is used when you want to perform a side effect for each element in an enumerable, like printing to the console. It always returns :ok.

It's similar to a for-each loop in other languages, but it's purely for side effects.

defmodule EachExample do
  def run do
    numbers = [1, 2, 3]
    IO.puts "Using Enum.each:"
    Enum.each(numbers, fn num -> IO.puts "Number: #{num}" end)
  end
end

EachExample.run()

Transforming Data with `Enum.map`

Enum.map/2 applies a given function to each element of an enumerable and collects the results into a new list. This is perfect for transforming data.

The original enumerable remains unchanged, sticking to functional programming principles.

defmodule MapTransformExample do
  def run do
    numbers = [1, 2, 3]
    doubled_numbers = Enum.map(numbers, fn num -> num * 2 end)
    IO.puts "Original: #{inspect numbers}"
    IO.puts "Doubled: #{inspect doubled_numbers}"
  end
end

MapTransformExample.run()

Selecting Elements with `Enum.filter`

Enum.filter/2 creates a new list containing only the elements for which a given function returns a "truthy" value (anything not false or nil).

Use it when you need to select a subset of elements from a collection.

defmodule FilterExample do
  def run do
    numbers = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]
    even_numbers = Enum.filter(numbers, fn num -> rem(num, 2) == 0 end)
    IO.puts "All numbers: #{inspect numbers}"
    IO.puts "Even numbers: #{inspect even_numbers}"
  end
end

FilterExample.run()

Reducing Collections with `Enum.reduce`

Enum.reduce/3 (or Enum.reduce/2) is one of the most powerful Enum functions. It "reduces" an enumerable to a single value by applying a function iteratively.

You provide an initial accumulator value and a function that takes the current element and the accumulator, returning a new accumulator.

defmodule ReduceExample do
  def run do
    numbers = [1, 2, 3, 4]
    sum = Enum.reduce(numbers, 0, fn num, acc -> num + acc end)
    IO.puts "Numbers: #{inspect numbers}"
    IO.puts "Sum: #{sum}"
  end
end

ReduceExample.run()

More `Enum` Functions to Know

The Enum module is vast! Here are a few more functions you'll find useful:

Enum.all?(enum, fun): Checks if all elements satisfy a condition.
Enum.any?(enum, fun): Checks if any element satisfies a condition.
Enum.take(enum, n): Returns the first n elements.
Enum.drop(enum, n): Returns all elements except the first n.
Enum.sort(enum): Sorts the elements.

Explore the official Elixir documentation for the full list!

Test Your `Enum` Knowledge

Consider the following Elixir code snippet:

defmodule QuestionCode do
  def run do
    data = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
    result_a = Enum.map(data, fn x -> x * 10 end)
    result_b = Enum.filter(data, fn x -> rem(x, 2) == 0 end)
    result_c = Enum.reduce(data, 0, fn x, acc -> x + acc end)
    IO.puts "A: #{inspect result_a}"
    IO.puts "B: #{inspect result_b}"
    IO.puts "C: #{inspect result_c}"
  end
end

QuestionCode.run()

Recap: Enumerable Power

Great job! You've learned the fundamentals of working with enumerable collections in Elixir.

Enumerables are data structures you can iterate over (lists, maps, ranges).
The Enum module provides powerful functions for consistent, immutable operations.
Key functions include each (side effects), map (transform), filter (select), and reduce (aggregate).

These functions are cornerstones of functional programming in Elixir, enabling clean and efficient data manipulation.

Frequently asked questions

Is the “Working with Enumerable Collections” lesson free?

Yes — the full text of “Working with Enumerable Collections” is free to read here on the web, and the Elixir & Phoenix: Scalable Backend Development course includes 4 lessons in total. To practise it interactively (a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor) and unlock the rest of the Elixir & Phoenix: Scalable Backend Development course, upgrade to CoddyKit PRO.

What will I learn in “Working with Enumerable Collections”?

Discover how to effectively manipulate lists, maps, and other enumerables using Elixir's `Enum` module. You practise Elixir & Phoenix: Scalable Backend Development with hands-on code you run directly in the browser, and a 24/7 AI tutor answers your questions as you work through the lesson.

Do I need any experience to start Elixir & Phoenix: Scalable Backend Development?

No prior experience is required. Elixir & Phoenix: Scalable Backend Development on CoddyKit is structured for beginners through advanced learners; this is — lesson 2 of 4, so you can start here or from the beginning and move at your own pace.

How long does the “Working with Enumerable Collections” lesson take?

Most CoddyKit lessons take about 5–10 minutes. Each one is bite-sized and interactive, so you make steady progress and pick up exactly where you left off across the web and the app.

Can I write and run code in this Elixir & Phoenix: Scalable Backend Development lesson?

Yes. Every Elixir & Phoenix: Scalable Backend Development lesson includes a built-in code editor, so you write and run real code right in your browser and get instant AI feedback — no local setup required.

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