Scala for Backend Engineering & Functional Programming · Lesson

Smart Constructors

Validated construction.

Smart Constructors is a free Scala for Backend Engineering & Functional Programming 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 Scala for Backend Engineering & Functional Programming learning path, one of 4 lessons in the course, and your progress syncs across the web and the CoddyKit app.

Validated Construction

A smart constructor is a factory that validates inputs before producing a value. It guarantees that any instance you hold satisfies the type's invariants.

The raw constructor is hidden.
Only validated creation is public.

class Age private (val value: Int)
object Age:
  def of(v: Int): Option[Age] =
    if v >= 0 then Some(new Age(v)) else None

object Main:
  def main(args: Array[String]): Unit =
    println(Age.of(30).map(_.value))

Private Constructor

Marking the primary constructor private stops callers from bypassing validation. The companion object becomes the single entry point.

class Percentage private (val value: Int)
object Percentage:
  def of(v: Int): Option[Percentage] =
    if v >= 0 && v <= 100 then Some(new Percentage(v)) else None

object Main:
  def main(args: Array[String]): Unit =
    println(Percentage.of(50).map(_.value))
    println(Percentage.of(150))

Returning Option

Returning Option signals that construction may fail. The caller must handle None, so invalid data never silently flows through.

class NonEmpty private (val value: String)
object NonEmpty:
  def of(s: String): Option[NonEmpty] =
    if s.nonEmpty then Some(new NonEmpty(s)) else None

object Main:
  def main(args: Array[String]): Unit =
    println(NonEmpty.of("").map(_.value))
    println(NonEmpty.of("hi").map(_.value))

Returning Either for Error Detail

When you want to explain why validation failed, return Either[Error, T]. The Left carries a descriptive message.

class Username private (val value: String)
object Username:
  def of(s: String): Either[String, Username] =
    if s.isEmpty then Left("empty")
    else if s.length > 10 then Left("too long")
    else Right(new Username(s))

object Main:
  def main(args: Array[String]): Unit =
    println(Username.of(""))
    println(Username.of("ada").map(_.value))

Smart Constructors with case class

A case class with a private constructor still works. Note its generated apply and copy must also be controlled, so define a custom factory and keep the constructor private.

case class Email private (value: String)
object Email:
  def of(s: String): Option[Email] =
    if s.contains("@") then Some(Email(s)) else None

object Main:
  def main(args: Array[String]): Unit =
    println(Email.of("a@b.com"))
    println(Email.of("bad"))

Chaining Validated Values

Because smart constructors return Option or Either, you can compose them with for comprehensions to build larger validated objects.

case class Name private (value: String)
object Name:
  def of(s: String): Option[Name] =
    if s.nonEmpty then Some(Name(s)) else None

case class Person(name: Name, age: Int)

object Main:
  def make(n: String): Option[Person] =
    for nm <- Name.of(n) yield Person(nm, 20)

  def main(args: Array[String]): Unit =
    println(Main.make("Bob"))

Normalizing Input

A smart constructor can also normalize data, for example trimming whitespace or lowercasing, so all instances share a canonical form.

case class Tag private (value: String)
object Tag:
  def of(s: String): Option[Tag] =
    val clean = s.trim.toLowerCase
    if clean.nonEmpty then Some(Tag(clean)) else None

object Main:
  def main(args: Array[String]): Unit =
    println(Tag.of("  Scala  "))

Invariants Hold Forever

Once a value passes the smart constructor, its invariant is guaranteed for its whole lifetime. Downstream code can trust the value without re-checking.

case class PositiveInt private (value: Int)
object PositiveInt:
  def of(n: Int): Option[PositiveInt] =
    if n > 0 then Some(PositiveInt(n)) else None

object Main:
  def doubleIt(p: PositiveInt): Int = p.value * 2 // always positive

  def main(args: Array[String]): Unit =
    PositiveInt.of(5).foreach(p => println(Main.doubleIt(p)))

Combining with Opaque Types

For zero-cost validated values, pair a smart constructor with an opaque type. No wrapper object is allocated, yet validation still gates construction.

object Domain:
  opaque type Score = Int
  def of(n: Int): Option[Score] =
    if n >= 0 && n <= 100 then Some(n) else None
  extension (s: Score) def value: Int = s

object Main:
  def main(args: Array[String]): Unit =
    println(Domain.of(88).map(_.value))

Multiple Validation Rules

Apply several checks in sequence. The first failing rule short-circuits, returning a clear error.

object Password:
  def of(s: String): Either[String, String] =
    if s.length < 8 then Left("too short")
    else if !s.exists(_.isDigit) then Left("need a digit")
    else Right(s)

object Main:
  def main(args: Array[String]): Unit =
    println(Password.of("abc"))
    println(Password.of("abcdef12"))

When to Use Smart Constructors

Use them whenever a type has invariants that raw construction could violate.

Bounded numbers, non-empty strings, formatted ids.
Return Option for simple yes/no, Either for reasons.
Keep the raw constructor private.

case class Port private (value: Int)
object Port:
  def of(n: Int): Option[Port] =
    if n >= 1 && n <= 65535 then Some(Port(n)) else None

object Main:
  def main(args: Array[String]): Unit =
    println(Port.of(8080))
    println(Port.of(70000))

Quick Check

Test your understanding of smart constructors.

Recap

You learned smart constructors.

Validate inputs in a companion factory.
Make the raw constructor private.
Return Option or Either to force handling of failure.
Optionally normalize input to a canonical form.
Invariants then hold for the value's whole lifetime.

case class Even private (value: Int)
object Even:
  def of(n: Int): Option[Even] =
    if n % 2 == 0 then Some(Even(n)) else None

object Main:
  def main(args: Array[String]): Unit =
    println(Even.of(4))
    println(Even.of(5))

Frequently asked questions

Is the “Smart Constructors” lesson free?

Yes — the full text of “Smart Constructors” is free to read here on the web, and the Scala for Backend Engineering & Functional Programming 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 Scala for Backend Engineering & Functional Programming course, upgrade to CoddyKit PRO.

What will I learn in “Smart Constructors”?

Validated construction. You practise Scala for Backend Engineering & Functional Programming 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 Scala for Backend Engineering & Functional Programming?

No prior experience is required. Scala for Backend Engineering & Functional Programming 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 “Smart Constructors” 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 Scala for Backend Engineering & Functional Programming lesson?

Yes. Every Scala for Backend Engineering & Functional Programming 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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