If you want to develop Android apps or multi-platform applications with the JVM, you can do it quicker and simpler with Kotlin than with Java. As we mentioned, Kotlin is the preferred language for Android development as it allows developers to write more concise, expressive, and safer code. Finally, Kotlin has better support for Android development than Java does. This includes features like null safety and Android Extensions that make developing Android applications with Kotlin much easier than with Java. Android developers enjoy the Kotlin compiler, making each Kotlin project way more efficient.
Building an app with Kotlin language is impossible without skillful developers. Learn more about hiring koltin developers in our dedicated article. It’s easy to pick up, has a growing base of developers, and is fully supported by Android Studio and Google.
Example of Java Code
Therefore, Kotlin is a better choice for developing modern-day Android apps. Almost every app in the Google Play store is based on Kotlin, which serves as a base for writing microservices. Companies like Pinterest, Trello, Coursera, and Evernote use Kotlin, to name just a few.
Kotlin is used to develop android applications while Java is mainly used for developing enterprise applications. In this section, we have discussed what is Kotlin the differences between Java and Kotlin. Spring framework is one of the most widely used frameworks to build software with Java.
Which is better, Kotlin vs. java? Let’s settle the debate
Java compiles 10-15% faster than its counter partner in clean builds. Still, in incremental compilations when only code with modifications is compiled, no the whole build, Kotlin performs slightly better. Generally, Kotlin is better equipped to handle functional programming. One of the reasons why companies choose Kotlin for mobile development is the ability to create cross-platform applications.
We then create a functional React component called App and render it to the DOM. Kotlin’s coroutines simplify asynchronous programming by allowing developers to write asynchronous code in a sequential manner. Being more fault-proof, the app will become easier and cheaper to maintain. Kotlin also facilitates faster development because it is much more concise — rough estimates show that it can cut as much as 40% lines of code compared to Java. Although Kotlin can be used anywhere Java is used , it is currently predominantly used for Android app development, spurred on by Google’s official support. Companies using Kotlin to stay competitive include Google, Trello/Atlassian, Pinterest, Kickstarter and Uber to name just a few.
Java Encapsulation
In Kotlin source code, a comment is an annotation that makes source code readable for programmers. Developers favor Kotlin over Python, as Kotlin covers all the shortcomings of Python. Learning Kotlin can allow devs to target more solutions efficiently and easily. Python is better equipped with the tools for developing sophisticated software, automation systems, and data-related tasks. The ability to use Java libraries in Kotlin is a lifesaver, with hundreds of amazing third-party Java libraries available on the market. Developers do not need to write their implementations when there are open-source, ready-to-use libraries that do the job perfectly.
If you want to make use of optimizations available in newer versions of Java, you can explicitly specify the target Java version from 9 to 20. Note that in this case the resulting bytecode might not run on lower versions. Starting with Kotlin 1.5, the compiler does not support producing bytecode compatible with Java versions below 8.
Best 25+ senior Java & Kotlin & Fullstack developer interview questions and answers
For example, Pivotal has been using Kotlin for its backend development since 2016. Many features are specifically designed for Android development, such as built-in support for null safety and Android Extensions. A distinct part of the developer community for Java originates from India.
- Kotlin is definitely worth using in 2023, especially if you want to develop a mobile app in Android.
- From developing Android apps to building desktop applications, data science, and machine learning, Kotlin is a dynamic and versatile language that can be used in a wide range of fields.
- It authorizes the integration of the semantics of the principals that preclude myriad typical blunders during implementation.
- While Kotlin is a popular choice for Android development, it is not limited to that platform.
- Till the introduction of Kotlin in 2016, all Android applications were written with the help of Java.
- The latter is interoperable with the former and can be called from existing Java code naturally, having a rich set of libraries that provide wide-ranging functionalities.
- In this article, we will explore the origins, history, features, and use cases of both languages to help you make an informed decision about which to use.
The language provides JavaScript support and interoperability, enabling developers to move their frontends to Kotlin or create them in it from the very project beginning. So, Android engineers can use both languages when building a mobile product as well as migrate their applications from Java to Kotlin. At this point you may be wondering how Kotlin handles the results of Java interoperability calls, given the differences in null handling and checked exceptions. Kotlin silently and reliably infers what is called a “platform type” that behaves exactly like a Java type, meaning that is nullable but can generate null-pointer exceptions.
Any other online Kotlin resources?
Kotlin is all about high comprehensibility, clarity, and the assistance of the app development process authorizing programmers to concentrate more on the intricacy of the assignment. It is a general-purpose coding framework which indicates it could be applied to an assortment of spheres. Usually, it is selected for cross-platform apps, Android, JavaScript, and server-side development. It is a cross-platform, statistically organized, general-purpose, high-level coding with type interference. Kotlin has improved assistance for Android development than Java.
Integration with common Java build tools is supported, including Apache Maven, Apache Ant, and Gradle. Kotlin provides support for higher-order functions and anonymous functions, or lambdas. Not to be confused with the destructor method common in object-oriented languages. Kotlin 1.4 was released in August 2020, with e.g. some slight changes to the support for Apple’s platforms, i.e. to the Objective-C/Swift interop. Kotlin/Native (for e.g. Apple silicon support) is considered beta since version 1.3. Kotlin compiles them both to JavaScript to run in the browser.
Kotlin vs. Java: All-purpose Uses and Android Apps
While both languages are similar, they are best suited for different tasks. Incidentally, Kotlin brings more money to developers with a revenue of $55k per year in comparison to $50k for Java. You’ll help inform https://www.globalcloudteam.com/ the type of content we create and get access to exclusive meetups, social accreditation, and swag. On the other hand, Java is simple and has fewer extra features than Kotlin, thereby compiling faster.