Introducing the Shorthand Library for Enhanced Map Handling in Elixir

The article introduces 'Shorthand', a library developed by Andrew Timberlake that enhances the way developers work with maps and keyword lists in Elixir. It allows the creation of maps with shorthand syntax similar to JavaScript, enabling more intuitive and cleaner code. The author explains the added benefits of using macros over sigils, such as better code editor support for syntax highlighting and error reporting. Shorthand is versatile and can be used for building maps, pattern matching, and even with keyword lists and structs. The article outlines practical use cases in tests and parameter processing, concluding with the author's personal endorsement of the library after six years of internal use.