1) Binaries are usually used when space is important (like when developing web applications). They use considerably less memory than lists. Processing binaries

1) Binaries are usually used when space is important (like when developing web applications). They use considerably less memory than lists. Processing binaries or list strings is slow compared to other languages where this is a focus. Erlang is not a strong string-processing language if you care about performance. 2) Mnesia? Riak too. And no, the Erlang scheduler won't get blocked. Why would waiting for something unpredictable like an open MySQL connection block a central coordinating component of the VM? Study how the Erlang VM[1] works more and you will see why Erlang/OTP is so resilient. The `epgsql' and `Emysql' libraries are heavily used by Erlang developers to work with PostgreSQL and MySQL, respectively. 3) Yes. http://www.erlang.org/doc/apps/stdlib/unicode_usage.html http://www.erlang.org/doc/apps/stdlib/unicode_usage.html 4) No clue, I use neither. [1] http://jlouisramblings.blogspot.com/2013/01/how-erlang-does-scheduling.html http://jlouisramblings.blogspot.com/2013/01/how-erlang-does-...