Kotlin – a Java Improvement

Kotlin is a user-friendly programming language created by JetBrains, well-known for its popular tool, IntelliJ IDEA, which helps programmers write Java code more efficiently. Going beyond the IDE to a complete programming language, they created the Kotlin language to make it simpler and more efficient to develop computer programs and applications in a Java-based context.  

Kotlin builds on Java and offers excellent benefits, according to some. According to others, Kotlin is a “looser” programming language than Java, which sounds cool but is not a real advantage.

Where Java requires programmers to write many lines of code to do something, it is simpler to get certain things done in Kotlin.  

Where Java is more literal and makes programmers spell out every little thing, Kotlin is more straightforward and more prepared to “get what you want to do”. Kotlin is also practical to adopt because developers can easily use it within the typical Java ecosystem. 

In that sense, Kotlin builds on Java and enhances it. Kotlin also works seamlessly with Java, allowing programmers to use both languages in their projects without problems.

Origins of Kotlin

JetBrains introduced Kotlin in 2011 and officially released it in 2016 as an open-source project, meaning anyone can use it and contribute to it. The company created Kotlin for its own use to improve its productivity.  

Java requires a lot of detailed code to get things done, making programs harder to read and increasing the risk of mistakes. That also makes it hard to see what the code is doing because it is harder to see what activities the programming language takes care of.

The JetBrains team did not like how Java required creating lots of code to do some things that other languages supported more efficiently. So, they built Kotlin as a language with all the features they wanted and a strong focus on compatibility with Java.

As a result, with Kotlin, programmers can write safer, more reliable code with less work. This productivity benefit should allow programmers to focus on the interesting parts of writing programs instead of the tedious things that don’t matter to the users. 

Helpful Features for Developers

Kotlin offers several features that make it easier for developers to write code:

• Automatic type detection: Kotlin can determine the type of a piece of data based on its use, which helps reduce the amount of code the programmer needs to write.
• Extension functions: Kotlin lets developers add new features to existing tools without changing the original code, making it simpler to improve the capabilities of existing software.
• Smart conversions: Kotlin can automatically change data from one type to another in certain situations, making code easier to read and understand.
• Data classes: Kotlin provides an efficient way to create simple structures for storing data, which reduces repetitive code. 

Fitting in with Java 

It was essential for Kotlin to work entirely within the Java ecosystem to ensure that Kotlin would gain traction with Java developers.  

JetBrains accomplished this nicely as Kotlin has IDE support with IntelliJ, which is also created by JetBrains, works well with Java frameworks like Spring, and works with leading build Java tools like Maven.

This kind of integration with existing and leading Java tools makes Kotlin easy to adopt by Java purists. 

Conclusion

Kotlin has become particularly popular for creating apps on Android smartphones because it is easier to understand and write than Java. Google, the company behind Android, has officially endorsed Kotlin as a preferred language for app development since 2017.  

Developers also use Kotlin to create web, server-side, and desktop application software. It is a modern and accessible programming language that helps developers create software more efficiently and with fewer errors, making it an attractive option for various projects.

With Google’s support and compatibility with the mature Java environment, Kotlin will continue to become more popular.

Kotlin in 100 seconds