I've been using Scala as my main development language since 2011. I came from a strong functional programming and C++ background, consequently learning Scala wa

I've been using Scala as my main development language since 2011. I came from a strong functional programming and C++ background, consequently learning Scala wasn't hard for me, and I find all claims about Scala's complexity overblown. I'd say Scala, used pragmatically (e.g. avoiding advanced stuff like Shapeless or Scalaz), is currently the best mainstream programming language, meaning it offers the best compromise between language power, maturity of implementations and library eco-system. My main criticism has always been the slow compiler which was eyewateringly terrible in 2011. With SBT's incremental compilation and faster machines the situation has become bearable.