Run one small examplethen make sense of it

Choose Elixir or Erlang. Each path has 31 short lessons across Scratch, Foundation, Intermediate, and Project. Run the example first, then unpack the syntax and change an input. Finish Foundation to enter the BEAM path, or continue to the single-language project.

2independent paths

62language lessons

0coding prerequisites

Get the tools ready

Step 0: Install Erlang / Elixir / Mix

Follow the steps for macOS, Linux, or Windows. When erl, elixir, and mix run successfully, choose one of the paths below.

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Choose one way to write

You do not need to finish both

Choose Elixir for a gentler writing experience. Choose Erlang to meet BEAM's original language first. Study one path carefully; you do not need to learn both at once.

PATH 01Elixir

Elixir from scratch

Four stages: run code, write modules, handle real input, ship a project

Thirty-one short lessons move through Scratch, Foundation, Intermediate, and Project. Run a complete example first, then unpack the syntax, change an input, and practice. Foundation is enough to enter the BEAM path; the rest builds a single-language project.

31 lessonsStart in IEx

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PATH 02Erlang

Erlang from scratch

Four stages: run code, write modules, handle real input, ship a project

Thirty-one short lessons move through Scratch, Foundation, Intermediate, and Project. Run a complete example first, then unpack terms and syntax, change an input, and practice. Foundation is enough to enter the BEAM path; the rest builds a single-language project.

31 lessonsStart in erl

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Two small roads meet at BEAM

Finish Foundation in either language and you are ready. Processes, messages, OTP, and supervision stay on the BEAM path.

See where the paths meet →