Java has consistently held the position of Google’s first and official programming language since the onset of Android app development. Currently, the place seems to have been grabbed by Kotlin. These sudden changes came into action when Google officially announced Kotlin as the official programming language for coding Android applications.

The gradual adoption of Kotlin by Google has driven a good number of developers into using. The future of developing Android applications relies on the prospects of the Kotlin language. This can be depicted through an extensive analysis of Java apps, which in turn gives a clear picture of the need for Kotlin soon. Gradually, developers are likely going to drop Java for Kotlin in the Android development ecosystem.

Significance of Kotlin for Android App Development

In 2011, a group of programmers from JetBrains, a Russian software product development company, came up with a powerful programming language and termed it as Kotlin. The development of this language then expanded with extensive augmentation from some open-source developers. In 2019, a revelation from Google showed that Kotlin was the most preferred language for app development.

Kotlin can be termed as a typed programming language with abilities to run on the Java virtual machine. Additionally, the language is well equipped with unique capabilities like the ability to perform multiple purposes, being an open-source language as well as exploring pragmatism. By perfectly combining functional programming features with the acquisitive ones, there is an assurance of the timely compilation of a given program.

Kotlin’s ability to offer extensive features as well as being an open-source language defines its relevance in a programmer’s day-to-day life. The language establishes excellent solutions that seem havoc to Android developers. It also handles quizzes surfacing from Java hence leaving the developer sure of powerful tooling support, clarity, safety, and flexibility.

Design Challenges Faced by Kotlin

Every programming language must have at least one or more challenges. Kotlin, too is not an exception. The programming language has undergone several shortcomings, and among them is the nullified in the type system. Initially, Kotlin programmers tended to provide solutions that depicted a lot more hassle. Repetitive cross-checks of this landed the responsible team into the platform types, which is served in Kotlin as a current version.

Several issues have been a major throwback to the Java language. Fortunately, Java itself has found Kotlin’s favor in terms of handling these nagging issues. This can be attributed to an instance where null references can be defined to be under the control of the type system.  Invariant arrays, proper function types, and unchecked exceptions are some features that can provide a better definition of Kotlin.

Benefits of Using Kotlin for Android

Proper development requirements for a given organization require that the programmer explores a range of compelling programming languages and, after that, stick to one. Part such languages is Kotlin, a language that is essential for development requirements. The language is one that has full support in writing codes for Android apps. As a better programmer, you should think of exploring Kotlin as well because change is inevitable. The benefits of Kotlin are outlined below;

Brevity

Unlike other programming languages such as Java, Kotlin tries to maintain the aspect of brevity. A clear comparison between Java and Kotlin will show the consistent repetitiveness in Java as opposed to Kotlin. Through brevity, there is a likelihood of encountering no error while examining or exploring Kotlin codes. A faster production rate is also guaranteed.

Mature language supporting IDEs

The language was initially developed in 2011, bringing about its release in the year 2016. The final version of this language was reached after a thorough outline of alpha and beta improvement stages.

This suggestively defines the use of Kotlin before its final release. The language is, therefore, well equipped with features that are common to other programming languages and has been proven to wonderfully support different cross-platform IDEs. IDE plugin works in the case of Kotlin with the use of Java features notwithstanding.

The natural mode of Android App Development

In comparison with other languages, Kotlin can seem compelling but straightforward as well. On the other hand, programming languages such as Java and Scala tend to hold shortcomings such as rigid issues and slow compilation time. Kotlin libraries in writing Android apps are considered small, and therefore controlling the method count by a great deal.

A swift language for Android development

The integration between Kotlin and Android Studio is purely amazing. It is faster than most programmers could imagine. Come to think of this, setting up a project into a function in leases than ten minutes! This is quite amazing since newbies can also do the same. Therefore, this then should be a significant source of relief for each Kotlin programmer.

Plugins are required to achieve an integration between Android 2.3 and Kotlin. Android 3.0 version integrates with it as well. Just like Java, it can work in an Integrated Development Environment with the ability to debug without shortcomings. Generally, a good number of Kotlin features work pretty well in almost all Java capabilities.

Reliable

The driving goal to Kotlin’s existence was the need by JetBrains to come up with a programming language with unique requirements suitable to serve them for specific purposes. Another reason as to why Kotlin was developed was its ability to offer practical value for its company by occasionally improving its products. This, therefore, raises the company’s morale in advancing it more.

JetBrains has not just left their initial idea unaddressed but has gone further to incorporate significant effort as well as making meaningful changes and alterations to it. The development undergone by Kotlin through JetBrains is a suggestive feature that can be depicted through continuous optimization of library sizes, development of libraries like Anko and JetBrains Extensions, among others. This gives a clear impression of JetBean’s need for further developing the language to revolve around the Android mobile app development ecosystem.

Evading Developer Obsoleteness

An essential starter for developers is the realization of the effectiveness and efficiency of modern languages in simplifying their work. This is well assured when a developer ventures into Kotlin.

Modern languages equip developers and programmers with a range of ways to tackle a task. This is key because it defines the outcome of the developer’s work. Furthermore, the developer becomes more versatile due to the increase in their understandability. When this is incorporated together, then a developer’s profile will be highly valued.

Kotlin is safer than Java

Many experienced developers who have worked with Kotlin and Java will always suggest Kotlin for safety options. Java is good after all, but then one major problem is its design, which tends to load the developer with lots of work. As a result, a single project uses more money and time. When working with Java, every developer will always meet nulls as a standard error-prone point. While debugging, 90% of the mistakes that might arise will be none other than Null Pointer Exception. On the other hand, nulls barely exist unless otherwise.

In Kotlin, variables are not by default set to ‘null.’ For a variable to accept nulls, their types must, therefore, be marked with a “?”. Afterward, the developer is forced by the compiler to check “null” before proceeding with the use of the variable. Therefore, a Null Pointer Exception barely exists or rather doesn’t exist in Kotlin.

Kotlin is Easy to Learn

The ease of learning this language gives new developers the morale to continue studying it. It is comfortable and easy to read based on its understandable codes. Kotlin is a reflection of the knowledge a Java developer hence making it easier for those with knowledge on Java. The only difference that comes in is that Kotlin addresses elements that are unaddressed in Java. Therefore, there is an extensive expansion of programmers’ possibilities in terms of creativity and problem-solving.

Why businesses have started opting for Kotlin

Most businesses have opted to dive into the use of Kotlin to drive all their desired functions. The reasons for these are simple migration, which allows the natural transformation from the original language being used to Kotlin, Google support, and Kotlin’s lower developmental and maintenance cost, among others.

Conclusion

Kotlin is the best when developing Android apps because it fits well in addressing gradual changes in either large or small institutions. This programming language is full of advantages that accompany its usage in the android development field.

The need for Kotlin developers is going to overwhelm the IT markets as businesses continue transiting into the use of Kotlin. The closeness and friendliness of Kotlin will enable developers sire to greater heights and discover the newest and most comfortable solutions to problems that are hardcore. As you make a move into Kotlin, a company of experienced and expert developers is paramount.

To know more benefits of kotlin, you can connect with mobile app development company Aalpha!