The Android team had revealed special implementation for Kotlin, the statically typed programming language for the JVM, during Google I/O 2017. (Java Virtual Machine).
In reality, Kotlin has been a buzzword in Android development for years, and the quantity of programs written in the language is steadily expanding on Github. Even so, because it had never been officially accepted, this language was always in a precarious situation for Android developers. However, the status quo has suddenly shifted.
Because of their expertise in Java, several android developers were hesitant to leap. However, after learning about Kotlin, they altered their ideas and began creating programs in Kotlin.
Table of Contents
- 1 What Is Kotlin and How Does It Work?
- 2 Benefits of Kotlin
- 3 The Benefit of a Short Learning Curve
- 4 The Benefits of Open Source
- 5 The Benefit of 100% Java Compatibility
- 6 Other Significant Benefits of Using Kotlin to Develop Android Apps
- 7 Kotlin’s Target Platforms
- 8 Kotlin Programming
- 9 What Happens to the Languages That Are Already There?
What Is Kotlin and How Does It Work?
Kotlin is a general-purpose, dynamically written pragmatic, and open-source programming language for the JVM and Android that blends Object-Oriented and Functional Programming characteristics. Portability, security, simplicity, and tooling assistance are the major focuses.
Kotlin was created to solve the challenges that Android developers have been experiencing for a long time. It enables you to conquer barriers with ease and speed.
Benefits of Kotlin
Concise
As it works perfectly with fewer lines of code, Kotlin is much more compact than Java. Allows for a code update that is both practical and quick, making it easier to maintain and understand the code.
Safer
It guards against typical programming errors like design flaws and program errors. Some types of errors are more likely to recur in Java and develop better resilient code.
Better Functional Programming Support
Functional programming is a programming technique that makes it easier and more reliable for developers to resolve issues. Inlining could enhance efficiency, which is not feasible in Java.
Should Minimize Glitches in the Code
The primary objective of Kotlin compilers is to fail as soon as possible. The Kotlin compiler does several tests to rectify faults and prevent execution issues.
The Benefit of a Short Learning Curve
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- A short, strongly typed programming language that is incredibly simple to understand and execute.
- They created the current and Android-compatible language to be type- and null-safe.
- The code is significantly easier and quicker than the Java equivalent.
- Debugging is easier because the code is more human-readable.
- The Android app creation process is fun, but it’s also faster.
The Benefits of Open Source
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- Kotlin has always been an Apache 2 open source project, and there is a significant probability that it will move it to a non-profit organization.
- While extending the Android platform, Kotlin fosters a large and company-independent open developer community.
The Benefit of 100% Java Compatibility
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- Among the most significant advantages is the interchange between Java and Kotlin.
- The potential for flawless compilation of Java and Kotlin code in the same project
- The bulk of Java libraries and systems, even complex architectures, could be used in Kotlin projects.
- You don’t have to change a complete project to Kotlin to utilize Kotlin.
Other Significant Benefits of Using Kotlin to Develop Android Apps
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- It’s open-source and makes developing Android applications a lot simpler.
- JAVA frameworks and libraries are used in Kotlin programmes.
- It’s quite simple to grasp and comprehend.
- Kotlin is a low-risk language to learn.
- Errors are reduced.
- There is no such thing as null security.
- Kotlin supports several systems.
- Kotlin has a very simple and user-friendly syntax.
- An advanced programming language with excellent IDE support.
- It allows programmers to be more adaptable.
Kotlin’s Target Platforms
Server-side, client-side web, Android, and native code are all sorts of programming that Kotlin is utilized for. According to the latest poll done after the debut of Kotlin, programmers ranked Kotlin amongst the best three programming languages. According to the survey, 66 per cent of them utilized Kotlin for Android, 57 per cent utilized Kotlin for JVM, 8% used Kotlin for Native, and 5% used Kotlin for JavaScript.
Kotlin for Native was developed for Linux, Android, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, Windows, iOS, WebAssembly, and embedded systems, according to the developers.
Kotlin Programming
For starters, Kotlin supports top-level functions. Higher-order functions, linear features, similar products, closures, unnamed features, and tail recursion are all supported by it. All the features and functions of the programming languages are combined in Kotlin. It keeps most of Java’s object-oriented characteristics as an alternative programming language, converting Java code a breeze. Classes in Kotlin have creators.
All Kotlin Classes have standard classifications, which are not the same as Java classes. Kotlin has a solitary estate from the labelled superclass, and all Kotlin Classes are titled superclasses.
Must specify kotlin classes with the open keyword to allow other types to inherit.
Take a look at IntelliJ IDEA, Eclipse, or Netbeans, for example
Android Studio is based on IntelliJ IDEA, a JetBrains-developed IDE. JetBrains also created the Kotlin programming language, and JetBrains has confirmed that Kotlin is compatible with IntelliJ IDEA.
Tooling functionality for Kotlin has been integrated straight into Android Studio from version 3.0. The goal of Kotlin is to be accessible on numerous platforms, with integration for different IDEs remaining unchanged.
What Happens to the Languages That Are Already There?
Thought Current languages have been enhanced in the greatest feasible manner, and Kotlin has been proclaimed the official Android language. Consider the following scenario:
Android O supports Java 8 libraries
C++ is designed to provide a more natural interface, and it has been upgraded with efficiency monitoring and APK debugging tools.
Conclusion
Whether it’s making the most of Kotlin’s different interfaces for read-only and changeable arrays, basic constructors, string templates, and smart casts, or taking advantage of type inference for variable and property kinds, there’s something for everyone. I’ve discovered several important motives to use Kotlin. This developer-friendly language, in my opinion, can provide programmers with a sense of comfort and pleasure.