10 Julia Programming Books That Elevate Your Coding Expertise

Recommended by Julia co-creators Alan Edelman, Viral Shah, and consultant Craig Brown, these Julia Programming Books refine your skills with expert insights

Craig Brown
Updated on June 23, 2025
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What if I told you that mastering Julia programming could unlock new horizons in scientific computing, data science, and web development? Julia is rapidly gaining ground because it combines the speed of low-level languages with the simplicity of high-level syntax. This unique blend makes it a powerful tool for researchers, engineers, and developers tackling complex tasks.

Experts like Alan Edelman, an MIT professor and Julia co-creator, found certain Julia concepts challenging to explain until they discovered books like Julia High Performance, which demystify Julia’s speed and efficiency. Viral Shah, co-creator of Julia and CEO of JuliaHub, endorses Practical Julia for scientists eager to apply Julia in real-world research. Meanwhile, consultant Craig Brown highlights Data Science with Julia as a clear gateway into Julia’s data capabilities. Their insights stem from deep involvement in Julia’s evolution and practical use.

While these expert-curated books provide proven frameworks, readers seeking content tailored to their specific background, skill level, and goals might consider creating a personalized Julia Programming book that builds on these insights. Tailored books can adapt to your unique interests, whether that’s web development, optimization, or parallel computing.

Best for advanced Julia performance tuning
Alan Edelman, professor at MIT and co-creator of the Julia language, knows firsthand the challenge of explaining Julia's unique performance to newcomers. During his teaching and research, he found it tough to quickly articulate why Julia excels until he read Avik Sengupta's book. He praises it for its clear, concise chapters filled with practical examples that reveal how Julia achieves speed through concepts like JIT compilation, multiple dispatch, and GPU programming. Alan says, "With Julia High Performance, you'll pick up the key essentials of Julia in no time," reflecting how the book helped him frame Julia's capabilities in a way that resonates with learners and practitioners alike.

Recommended by Alan Edelman

MIT professor, Julia co-creator

Those who are new to Julia often ask me what makes it so special, or how it achieves such high performance. Having to think on my feet in order to answer this question has proven challenging. This was the case, at least, until Avik Sengupta came along with the Julia High Performance book. Now all I have to do is tell the enquirers to read the book as it consists of just the right combination of details to answer their questions. In an easy-to-read concise set of chapters - most of which contain words like "performance" and "fast" - Avik takes you through examples that you can run yourself in order to see how fast and easy Julia is to use. There are computer science words that have become Julia words. It is a pleasure to learn these in a manner that is easy to follow. Just a few examples of this are "JIT", "Multiple Dispatch", "type system", "generated functions", "CUDA", and "SIMD". After learning about Julia's design, you will learn to measure performance. From there, you will appreciate Julia's type system. You will then master using arrays along with making fast function calls and fast numbers. Finally, you will learn to write parallel Julia programs. With Julia High Performance, you'll pick up the key essentials of Julia in no time. You can then join the friendly, fast growing, online community of Julia programmers. Welcome to the world of Julia! Read this book and you will soon join us in loving the Julia language.

Julia High Performance book cover

by Avik Sengupta··You?

2019·218 pages·Julia Programming, Performance Optimization, GPU Computing, Concurrent Programming, Distributed Computing

Drawing from his extensive background in computational finance and engineering leadership at Julia Computing, Avik Sengupta wrote this book to illuminate the often overlooked intricacies behind Julia's performance capabilities. You’ll learn how Julia transforms your code into efficient machine instructions, explore measuring time and memory usage, and master techniques like multiple dispatch and GPU acceleration to write faster programs. Chapters on concurrency and distributed computing reveal how to build responsive, scalable applications. If you're familiar with Julia basics but want to push your projects to high-performance levels, this book provides the concrete insights and practical examples to get you there.

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Best for scientists new to Julia programming
Viral Shah, co-creator of the Julia programming language and CEO of JuliaHub, highlights this book as a valuable introduction for anyone beginning their Julia journey. He points out how the book balances foundational language fundamentals with applications across scientific fields, reflecting his own deep involvement in shaping Julia. Shah’s endorsement underscores the book’s role in helping scientists and programmers alike grasp Julia’s potential, especially when tackling complex, real-world problems in research.

Recommended by Viral Shah

Co-Creator of Julia Programming Language, CEO JuliaHub

A great starting point for the reader’s journey into Julia - with the first part covering the fundamentals of the language and second part diving into a variety of different scientific disciplines.

2023·528 pages·Julia Programming, Scientific Computing, Data Visualization, Metaprogramming, Performance Optimization

Lee Phillips brings his extensive background as a theoretical and computational physicist to guide you through Julia programming with a focus on scientific applications. You’ll learn the language’s syntax, data structures, and powerful features like multiple dispatch and metaprogramming, while applying these skills to real scientific problems such as modeling pandemics or visualizing complex data. Chapters cover a broad range of fields including physics, biology, and machine learning, making this book particularly suited for researchers and scientists new to programming or Julia. Expect a hands-on, example-driven approach that balances foundational knowledge with practical exploration of Julia’s capabilities in research contexts.

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Best for personalized mastery plans
This AI-created book on Julia programming is tailored to your background, skill level, and specific goals. By sharing your experience and the Julia topics you want to focus on, you receive a custom-crafted guide that covers exactly what you need to master Julia. Personalization makes perfect sense here because Julia's versatility spans many domains—from scientific computing to web development—and this book focuses on your unique interests and objectives.
2025·50-300 pages·Julia Programming, Julia Fundamentals, Performance Optimization, Multiple Dispatch, Metaprogramming

This personalized book provides a comprehensive exploration of Julia programming, covering fundamental concepts, advanced features, and practical applications tailored to your expertise and goals. It offers a personalized framework that emphasizes effective coding practices, performance optimization strategies, and domain-specific implementations, ensuring the content fits your specific context and cuts through irrelevant advice. Readers gain insights into Julia's type system, multiple dispatch, metaprogramming, and parallel computing techniques, along with guidance on applying Julia to scientific computing, data analysis, and web development. This tailored approach delivers a focused learning path that bridges foundational knowledge with real-world problem-solving, enabling efficient mastery of Julia aligned with individual objectives.

Tailored Blueprint
Performance Optimization
3,000+ Books Created
Best for Julia web developers building scalable apps
Ivo Balbaert, a seasoned lecturer in web programming with a PhD in applied physics, brings decades of software development and teaching experience to this guide. His practical approach stems from years working in both industry and academia, making this book a bridge between Julia's computational strengths and real-world web development needs. Balbaert’s expertise ensures you gain not just theoretical knowledge but the ability to build and deploy robust web apps using Julia.
2022·254 pages·Web Development, Julia Programming, Web Application Development, MVC Architecture, REST APIs

When Ivo Balbaert first discovered the potential of Julia for web development, he realized it could merge high-performance computing with practical web applications. This book guides you through building web servers using Julia's HTTP.jl library, creating MVC apps with the Genie framework, and deploying interactive data dashboards complete with REST APIs and authentication. Balbaert's background in applied physics and decades in software give him a unique perspective that shines in detailed code examples and framework comparisons. If you have some Julia experience and want to move beyond scripts to scalable web projects, this book offers clear insights into both foundational and advanced techniques.

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Best for optimization and operations researchers
Changhyun Kwon brings a strong background as an Associate Professor specializing in industrial and management systems engineering with extensive research funded by the National Science Foundation and U.S. Department of Transportation. His firsthand experience with the challenges of teaching operations research motivated him to create this resource. This book benefits from his deep expertise and practical approach to bridging mathematical concepts and programming through Julia, making it a valuable tool for those tackling complex optimization problems.
2019·262 pages·Julia Programming, Operations Research, Optimization, Mathematical Modeling, Algorithm Development

When Changhyun Kwon first realized how challenging it was for his students to navigate between human language, mathematical formulations, and computer code, he wrote this book to bridge that gap specifically for operations research. You’ll learn how to effectively translate complex mathematical optimization problems into Julia code using JuMP, a flexible algebraic modeling language. The book dives deeply into building and implementing optimization models, offering practical insights that benefit students and professionals in operations research, industrial engineering, and related fields. It's particularly helpful if you want to harness Julia’s speed and versatility to solve real-world optimization challenges.

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Nabanita Dash, a Research Engineer with a BTech from IIIT India and experience at Julia Computing, brings her expertise in deep learning and data analysis to this book. Her career journey, blending hands-on coding with research, informs the practical guidance you’ll find here on using Julia for data science and machine learning. This background ensures the book connects core programming skills with advanced topics like parallel computation to help you improve your projects.
2024·484 pages·Julia Programming, Data Science, Machine Learning, Statistical Modeling, Parallel Computing

Drawing from her background as a Research Engineer with deep expertise in machine learning and data analysis, Nabanita Dash crafted this book to guide you through mastering Julia’s capabilities for data science. You’ll start with the essentials—Julia syntax, data structures, and visualization—before advancing to statistical modeling and machine learning using packages like MLJ.jl and Turing.jl. Beyond that, the book dives into parallel and distributed computing, equipping you to optimize workflows and scale complex computations efficiently. If your goal is to leverage Julia for practical data science challenges, this book offers a thorough roadmap, though it assumes some programming familiarity to get the most out of it.

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Best for rapid skill advancement
This AI-created book on Julia programming is tailored to your background, skill level, and specific goals, offering a day-by-day plan to sharpen your skills. You share which Julia topics matter most and your desired pace, then receive a book crafted precisely for your learning journey. It makes sense to have a custom guide here because Julia's blend of performance and simplicity means your path to mastery can differ widely. With this approach, you get targeted lessons that speak directly to your needs instead of generic tutorials.
2025·50-300 pages·Julia Programming, Daily Lessons, Performance Optimization, Parallel Computing, Data Structures

This personalized book provides a tailored 30-day plan designed to rapidly enhance your Julia programming skills through daily guided lessons. It focuses on practical implementation by breaking down complex Julia concepts into manageable daily tasks, ensuring you build competence efficiently. The book covers foundational topics like syntax and data structures before advancing to performance tuning, parallel processing, and domain-specific applications such as scientific computing and web development. By offering a personalized framework that fits your background and goals, it cuts through generic advice and delivers targeted strategies that accelerate learning and skill mastery in Julia programming.

Tailored Framework
Accelerated Learning
3,000+ Books Generated
Best for beginners learning core Julia concepts
Ben Lauwens, a professor of mathematics at the Royal Military Academy in Belgium with a PhD in engineering, brings a rigorous academic perspective to programming education. His expertise in mathematics and engineering informs this book, which he developed to help learners grasp programming through Julia's modern, high-performance language. By combining his teaching experience with Julia’s clean syntax, he offers a resource that bridges theory and practice for students and self-learners alike.
2019·295 pages·Julia Programming, Programming, Software Development, Data Structures, Multiple Dispatch

When Ben Lauwens first realized the need for a programming guide tailored to Julia's unique strengths, he drew on his extensive academic background to create this accessible introduction. You’ll learn foundational programming concepts like variables, functions, and data structures, then progress to Julia-specific features such as multiple dispatch and type creation. The book’s exercises let you apply concepts immediately, reinforcing understanding through hands-on practice. Ideal if you’re a student or a professional new to programming who wants a clear, logical path into Julia’s syntax and capabilities, this book offers a grounded approach without overwhelming technical jargon.

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Best for numerical analysts using Julia
Tobin A. Driscoll and Richard J. Braun, professors of mathematics at the University of Delaware, bring together decades of research in numerical methods and scientific computing to create this book. Their expertise in mathematical modeling and numerical algorithms forms the backbone of a guide that integrates Julia programming with core computational techniques. Their experience with projects like the Chebfun software and extensive publication record ensures readers access to a well-grounded and practical approach to numerical computation with Julia.
Fundamentals of Numerical Computation: Julia Edition book cover

by Tobin A. Driscoll, RIchard J. Braun··You?

2022·614 pages·Julia Programming, Numerical Algorithms, Numerical Analysis, Linear Algebra, Root Finding

Unlike most programming texts that isolate coding from theory, this book blends Julia programming with the mathematical foundations of numerical computation. Tobin A. Driscoll and Richard J. Braun, both seasoned professors at the University of Delaware with extensive research in numerical methods and scientific computing, crafted a resource that walks you through linear algebra, root finding, data approximation, and differential equations using Julia. You get over 160 fully coded examples and a wealth of exercises designed to reinforce both computational skills and mathematical understanding. This makes it a solid choice if you're diving into numerical analysis with Julia or seeking to sharpen your algorithmic approach in scientific computing.

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Best for developers mastering Julia design patterns
Tom Kwong, CFA, brings over 25 years of software engineering experience, primarily in financial services, to this deep dive into Julia's design patterns. His background in developing trading and risk systems informs a practical approach to structuring high-performance, maintainable Julia applications. With a master’s in computer science and a CFA designation, Kwong’s unique combination of technical and financial expertise positions him well to guide you through advanced Julia programming concepts, from object-oriented alternatives to metaprogramming techniques.
2020·532 pages·Design Patterns, Julia Programming, Software Development, Programming, Julia Language

What if the usual object-oriented strategies you rely on don't translate well to Julia? Tom Kwong, drawing on over 25 years in software engineering and financial services, challenges you to rethink design patterns through Julia's unique features like modules, macros, and metaprogramming. You’ll get into the nuts and bolts of building performant, reusable, and maintainable applications, exploring everything from basic data types to advanced patterns that replace traditional inheritance-based approaches. The book’s examples, including open-source Julia packages, make it clear how to avoid common pitfalls and anti-patterns. If you want to deepen your Julia skills beyond syntax and into architecture, this book is worth your time, especially if you're developing large-scale applications.

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Best for data scientists transitioning to Julia
Craig Brown, a technology and business consultant with deep roots in STEM and data, valued this book as a gateway to mastering data science with Julia. Facing the challenge of adopting new tools in a fast-evolving field, he found this book provided a clear introduction to Julia’s advantages. He noted, "Book Memo: ‘Data Science with Julia’: This book is a great way to both start learning data science through the promising Julia language and to become an efficient data scientist." This perspective highlights how the book bridges foundational learning and practical skill-building in data science.
CB

Recommended by Craig Brown

Technology and business consultant, STEM entrepreneur

Book Memo: “Data Science with Julia”: This book is a great way to both start learning data science through the promising Julia language and to become an efficient data scientist.’- Professor Charles Bouveyron, INRIA Chair in Data Science, Université Côte… (from X)

Data Science with Julia book cover

by Paul D. McNicholas, Peter Tait··You?

2018·220 pages·Data Science, Julia Programming, Science, Programming, Machine Learning

Drawing from their expertise in computational statistics, Paul D. McNicholas and Peter Tait crafted this book to introduce you to data science using Julia, a language designed to combine ease of use with high performance. You’ll learn not only the fundamentals of Julia but also how to apply popular data science techniques, including supervised and unsupervised learning, alongside data visualization with the Gadfly package. If you're familiar with languages like R or Python, this book offers clear pathways to leverage Julia’s speed and extensive package ecosystem. It’s particularly suited for students or practicing data scientists ready to explore Julia’s potential without prior programming experience.

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Best for absolute beginners starting Julia programming
Noel Kalicharan, who taught Computer Science at the University of the West Indies for over 40 years, brings his extensive experience teaching beginners to this book. His deep understanding of the hurdles new programmers face shapes the book’s clear examples and straightforward explanations. His trademark simplicity and clarity help you build foundational programming skills using Julia step by step.
2021·304 pages·Julia Programming, Programming, Software Development, Control Flow, Functions

When Noel Kalicharan first discovered the challenges new programmers face, he crafted this book to bridge those gaps using Julia, a language known for its modern features and speed. You’ll learn core programming concepts through clear explanations and practical examples, starting with basic syntax and moving through control flow, functions, data structures, and file operations. The book’s chapter on array processing, for instance, highlights how Julia simplifies tasks that are often complex in other languages. This resource suits anyone stepping into programming for the first time, especially those who appreciate gradual learning paced with real problems rather than abstract exercises.

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Conclusion

Collectively, these 10 books reveal three key themes: Julia’s performance edge, its versatility across disciplines, and the growing ecosystem supporting diverse applications. If you’re grappling with performance bottlenecks, Julia High Performance and Ultimate Parallel and Distributed Computing with Julia For Data Science give you practical tools to optimize. For newcomers, Think Julia and Julia provide clear, foundational guidance to build confidence. And if your focus is domain-specific, Julia Programming for Operations Research or Web Development with Julia and Genie offer targeted approaches.

For rapid skill-building, pairing Practical Julia with Data Science with Julia accelerates your ability to solve scientific and data challenges. Once you've absorbed these expert insights, create a personalized Julia Programming book to bridge the gap between general principles and your specific situation. Tailored content sharpens your focus and fits your learning pace.

Take charge of your Julia journey by exploring these vetted titles and customizing your learning path. Whether optimizing speed, building scalable web apps, or diving into data science, these books and personalized options empower you to write Julia code that truly performs.

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm overwhelmed by choice – which book should I start with?

Start with Think Julia if you're new to programming or Julia. It builds foundational skills clearly. If you already know basics, Julia High Performance helps you write faster, more efficient code.

Are these books too advanced for someone new to Julia Programming?

Not at all. Books like Julia and Think Julia are designed for beginners with clear explanations, while others target intermediate to advanced users for deeper topics.

What’s the best order to read these books?

Begin with beginner-friendly titles like Julia or Think Julia. Then explore domain-specific books such as Practical Julia or Julia Programming for Operations Research. Finish with performance-focused works like Julia High Performance.

Do these books assume I already have experience in Julia Programming?

Some do, like Julia High Performance and Hands-On Design Patterns and Best Practices with Julia, which expect familiarity. Others, like Practical Julia and Julia, welcome beginners.

Which books focus more on theory vs. practical application?

Fundamentals of Numerical Computation emphasizes mathematical theory with Julia code, while Web Development with Julia and Genie and Data Science with Julia focus on practical, hands-on application.

How can I get Julia Programming knowledge tailored to my specific goals?

Expert books offer solid foundations, but personalized books adapt content to your interests and experience. You can create a custom Julia Programming book that zeroes in on your unique learning needs and goals.

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