Kotlin is a general, open source programming language for JVM and Android that combines object-oriented and functional programming features.
Kotlin was created in 2010 by JetBrains, the company behind IntelliJ IDEA, and has been open source since 2012. The Kotlin team currently has more than 20 full-time JetBrains members, and the Kotlin project on GitHub around 100 contributors. JetBrains uses Kotlin in many of its products, including its flagship product IntelliJ IDEA.
Brevity
One of the main reasons why developers prefer Kotlin to Java is the brevity of the language. Java seems quite verbose in comparison. The brevity reduces the number of errors in the code. It also means a much faster production rate.
Open-source
Since 2012, JetBrains has declared that Kotlin is an open-source project. As an open source language, a developer can expect high quality development, while enjoying significant support from the Kotlin Slack team.
Safer
Kotlin is considered a much safer option than Java. One of the major problems with Java is the design of the language itself, which results in more work and therefore more money and time spent on the project.
For example, null pointers are the most error prone points when working with Java. Whereas, in Kotlin, null pointers do exist, the language offers new functionalities making it possible to carry out the verification of “nullability” of these pointers.
Easier to Learn than Java
Being similar to other Java compatible languages, Kotlin is easier to learn. It is also easy to understand and read by someone foreign to the language, because the code is easier to understand. It also helps him avoid mistakes.
JetBrains has made it a priority to make the transition from Java to simple as they had to implement it for their own products.
It is a language that is very similar to what a Java developer already understands. The only complex elements of Kotlin are those that are missing in Java.
Kotlin offers developers the opportunity to be more creative and solve problems differently. It also makes learning more enjoyable.
Mature Language
Unlike other languages like Swift, the Kotlin version went through many stages before releasing the final 1.0 version.
This means that there are practically no problems working with Kotlin, everything works as you would expect.
The IDE plugin works without problems, and already allows many features that you like and use in Java. Therefore, working with Kotlin is great in that sense.
It is interesting to know that before its final version, the language spent several years in alpha then in beta. And even before the beta was released, people were using it in real projects
Cross Platform
Kotlin is more native than Xamarin, React Native or Flutter. Currently, Kotlin has a strong and enthusiastic base of developers around the world and is praised by the community for providing a superior development experience.
Kotlin allows developers to write once, test once, and then use the same code on iOS, Android, and web applications.
As a language, it allows developers to produce applications more consistently. It is a modern language that integrates with native platforms of Android, iOS, Java and the web, allowing development teams to build on what has already been coded.
And since it is essentially an extension of Java, it is relatively easy for Java developers to get started. Kotlin doesn’t stray too far from Swift either and from Touchlab.
Conclusion
To conclude, Kotlin is 100% compatible with Java, which means that it is possible for small and large organizations to switch to Kotlin.
However, this transition must be well planned and requires the expertise of developers and their experience in handling similar projects in the past.
A good way to start is to take it step by step and then build on that experience.
Kotlin is a friendly language for developers, and it will allow them to design new solutions to common problems.
And it is now an official language for the development of Android!
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