# LatestNews

Elixir/Erlang news, update on Monday.  
  
  1. **[Elixir v1.2.0](https://github.com/elixir-lang/elixir/releases/tag/v1.2.0)**

    v1.2 brings enhancements, bug fixes, performance improvements and more into Elixir. Elixir v1.2 relies on many features in Erlang 18, requiring at least Erlang 18+. Upgrading to Erlang 18 is therefore necessary before upgrading Elixir.

  2. **[Comparing Elixir and Erlang variables](http://blog.plataformatec.com.br/2016/01/comparing-elixir-and-erlang-variables/)**

    I hope this puts to rest the claim that Elixir variables are somehow unsafer than Erlang ones (or vice-versa)

  3. **[Failing fast and slow in Erlang and Elixir](https://tkowal.wordpress.com/2015/10/20/failing-fast-and-slow-in-erlang-and-elixir/)**

      The Golden Trinity of Erlang
         - Fail fast
         - Share nothing
         - Failure handling

  4. **[Credo](https://twitter.com/search?f=tweets&vertical=default&q=credo%20elixir&src=typd) bump version to v0.2.5**

     It’s a static code analysis tool for the Elixir language with a focus on teaching and code consistency. [Credo](http://trivelop.de/2015/12/31/roundup-credo-teaching-changed-my-life/) is a code linter that does not spout “YOU’RE WRONG!!!” but instead teaches you why you should probably reconsider your code here and there.

  5. **[Elixir User’s Survey 2015](http://blog.elixirsips.com/2015/12/21/elixir-users-survey-2015/)**

     Programer prefer Vim above all others. Atom is pretty darn cool to use too. [Short Guide](http://brainlid.org/elixir/2015/11/12/atom-editor-and-elixir.html) on setting up a development environment for Elixir development.

  6. **[Erlang.mk](http://erlang.mk/guide/index.html) User Guide**

      Erlang.mk User Guide by Loïc Hoguin, [Third-party plugins](http://erlang.mk/guide/plugins_list.html) support.

      Why erlang.mk?

         - Erlang.mk is fast
         - Erlang.mk gives you the full power of Unix
         - Erlang.mk is a text file2
         - Erlang.mk can manage Erlang itself
         - Erlang.mk can do more than Erlang
         - Erlang.mk integrates nicely in Make and Automake projects

  7. **[Elixir block keywords](http://thepugautomatic.com/2015/12/elixir-block-keywords/?utm_campaign=elixir_radar_31&utm_medium=email&utm_source=RD+Station)**

    Elixir’s own `if/do/else` is just a macro using these keyword lists.