Skillsbench python-scala-syntax-mapping

Reference guide for translating Python syntax constructs to Scala equivalents. Use when converting Python code to Scala and need mappings for basic syntax elements like variable declarations, control flow, comprehensions, string formatting, and common operators.

install

source · Clone the upstream repo

git clone https://github.com/benchflow-ai/skillsbench

Claude Code · Install into ~/.claude/skills/

T=$(mktemp -d) && git clone --depth=1 https://github.com/benchflow-ai/skillsbench "$T" && mkdir -p ~/.claude/skills && cp -r "$T/tasks/python-scala-translation/environment/skills/python-scala-syntax-mapping" ~/.claude/skills/benchflow-ai-skillsbench-python-scala-syntax-mapping && rm -rf "$T"

manifest: tasks/python-scala-translation/environment/skills/python-scala-syntax-mapping/SKILL.md

source content

Python to Scala Syntax Mapping

Variable Declarations

Python Scala

x = 5

val x = 5

(immutable) or

var x = 5

(mutable)

x: int = 5

val x: Int = 5

x, y = 1, 2

val (x, y) = (1, 2)

Prefer

val

over

var

unless mutation is required.

Type Mappings

Python	Scala
`int`	`Int`
`float`	`Double`
`str`	`String`
`bool`	`Boolean`
`None`	`None` (of type `Option` ) or `null`
`list[T]`	`List[T]` or `Seq[T]`
`dict[K, V]`	`Map[K, V]`
`set[T]`	`Set[T]`
`tuple[A, B]`	`(A, B)` or `Tuple2[A, B]`
`Optional[T]`	`Option[T]`

Control Flow

Conditionals

# Python
if x > 0:
    result = "positive"
elif x < 0:
    result = "negative"
else:
    result = "zero"

// Scala - if is an expression
val result = if (x > 0) "positive"
             else if (x < 0) "negative"
             else "zero"

Loops

# Python for loop
for i in range(10):
    print(i)

for item in items:
    process(item)

for i, item in enumerate(items):
    print(f"{i}: {item}")

// Scala equivalents
for (i <- 0 until 10) println(i)

for (item <- items) process(item)

for ((item, i) <- items.zipWithIndex) println(s"$i: $item")

While loops

# Python
while condition:
    do_something()

// Scala
while (condition) {
  doSomething()
}

Comprehensions

# Python list comprehension
squares = [x ** 2 for x in range(10)]
evens = [x for x in numbers if x % 2 == 0]
pairs = [(x, y) for x in xs for y in ys]

// Scala for-comprehensions or map/filter
val squares = (0 until 10).map(x => x * x).toList
val evens = numbers.filter(_ % 2 == 0)
val pairs = for { x <- xs; y <- ys } yield (x, y)

Functions

# Python
def add(a: int, b: int) -> int:
    return a + b

# Lambda
square = lambda x: x ** 2

# Default arguments
def greet(name: str, greeting: str = "Hello") -> str:
    return f"{greeting}, {name}!"

// Scala
def add(a: Int, b: Int): Int = a + b

// Lambda
val square: Int => Int = x => x * x
// or shorter: val square = (x: Int) => x * x

// Default arguments
def greet(name: String, greeting: String = "Hello"): String =
  s"$greeting, $name!"

String Formatting

Python	Scala
`f"Hello, {name}!"`	`s"Hello, $name!"`
`f"Value: {x:.2f}"`	`f"Value: $x%.2f"`
`f"{x + y}"`	`s"${x + y}"`

Common Operators

Python	Scala
`**` (power)	`math.pow(x, y)` or use `scala.math.pow`
`//` (floor div)	`x / y` (for Int) or `math.floor(x / y)`
`%` (modulo)	`%`
`and` , `or` , `not`	`&&` , `
`in`	`.contains()`
`is`	`eq` (reference equality)
`==`	`==` (value equality)

Exception Handling

# Python
try:
    result = risky_operation()
except ValueError as e:
    handle_error(e)
finally:
    cleanup()

// Scala
import scala.util.{Try, Success, Failure}

// Pattern 1: try-catch
try {
  val result = riskyOperation()
} catch {
  case e: IllegalArgumentException => handleError(e)
} finally {
  cleanup()
}

// Pattern 2: Try monad (preferred for functional style)
val result = Try(riskyOperation()) match {
  case Success(value) => value
  case Failure(e) => handleError(e)
}

None/Null Handling

# Python
if value is None:
    return default
return process(value)

# Or
result = value if value is not None else default

// Scala - use Option
val result = optionValue match {
  case Some(v) => process(v)
  case None => default
}

// Or more concisely
val result = optionValue.map(process).getOrElse(default)