Kotlin is a modern, statically typed programming language that runs on the Java virtual machine (JVM) and can also be compiled to JavaScript or native code. It was developed by JetBrains, a software development company based in Prague, Czech Republic, and was officially released in 2016. Kotlin was designed to improve upon some of the shortcomings of Java and to provide a more concise, expressive, and safer way of developing applications.
In this article, we will give an introduction to Kotlin programming language and discuss its key features and benefits.
Kotlin is a general-purpose language that can be used for a wide range of applications, from Android mobile apps to backend services and everything in between. It is fully interoperable with Java, meaning you can use Kotlin and Java code together in the same project, and you can even call Kotlin code from Java and vice versa. This makes it easy to gradually migrate your existing Java codebase to Kotlin or to use Kotlin in a mixed Java/Kotlin project.
Benefits of Kotlin
Here are some benefits of Kotlin:
Concise and expressive syntax:
One of the main advantages of Kotlin is its concise and expressive syntax, which allows you to write less code and achieve more. Kotlin has a number of features that help reduce boilerplate code and make your code more readable and maintainable, such as type inference, higher-order functions, extension functions, data classes, and more.
Safer than Java:
Kotlin is also a safer language than Java, thanks to its built-in support for nullability and immutability. In Kotlin, you can use the ? operator to denote nullable types, which helps prevent null pointer exceptions (NPEs), a common source of bugs in Java. Kotlin also has a val keyword for declaring read-only variables and a data keyword for creating immutable data classes, which can make your code more reliable and easier to reason about.
Good support for functional programming:
Kotlin also has good support for functional programming, with features such as lambdas, higher-order functions, and inline functions. These features allow you to write code that is more concise and more expressive, and they can also make your code more efficient, as inline functions can be inlined at the call site, avoiding the overhead of creating a new function object.
Targets multiple platforms:
Kotlin can be compiled to the JVM, JavaScript, and native code, which means you can write code once and run it on multiple platforms, making it easier to reuse your code and reduce the maintenance burden.
Mature and stable:
Kotlin has been around for over a decade and has a large and active community of developers. It is a stable and reliable language that is being used in production by companies such as Netflix, Pinterest, and Uber.
Kotlin is a versatile programming language that can be used for a wide range of applications, including but not limited to:
Android mobile development:
Kotlin is the recommended language for Android app development by Google, and it is fully supported by the Android operating system. Kotlin has a number of features that make it well-suited for Android development, such as its concise syntax, null safety, and support for functional programming.
Backend development:
Kotlin can be used to build server-side applications, such as web servers, REST APIs, and microservices. It can run on the JVM or be compiled to native code, which makes it efficient and scalable.
Web development:
Kotlin can be compiled to JavaScript, which means you can use it to build frontend web applications or to write scripts that run in the browser.
Cross-platform development:
Kotlin can target multiple platforms, such as the JVM, JavaScript, and native code, which makes it a good choice for building cross-platform applications that can run on multiple devices or platforms.
Data science and machine learning:
Kotlin can be used to build scientific computing and data analysis tools, thanks to its good support for functional programming and its ability to interface with popular libraries such as NumPy and TensorFlow.
In addition to these applications, Kotlin can be used for any other type of software development, such as desktop applications, command-line tools, and more. Its versatility and interoperability with Java make it a good choice for a wide range of projects.
Setup an environment to run a Kotlin program
Follow along with us as we take you through the steps of setting up a Kotlin environment and running your first Kotlin program.
1. Install the Java Development Kit (JDK)
The first step to setting up a Kotlin environment is to install the JDK on your machine. Kotlin is a programming language that runs on the Java Virtual Machine (JVM), so you will need to have the JDK installed to be able to run Kotlin programs. You can download the latest version of the JDK from the Oracle website (https://www.oracle.com/java/technologies/javase-downloads.html).
2. Install the Kotlin compiler
Once you have installed the JDK, the next step is to install the Kotlin compiler. You can download the latest version of the Kotlin compiler from the official Kotlin website (https://kotlinlang.org/). Once you have downloaded the compiler, you will need to set the KOTLIN_HOME environment variable to the location of the Kotlin compiler on your machine.
3. Create a Kotlin project
Once you have installed the Kotlin compiler, you can create a new Kotlin project using an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) such as IntelliJ IDEA or Eclipse. Alternatively, you can create a new Kotlin project from the command line using the kotlinc command.
4. Write your “Hello, World!” program
With your Kotlin project set up, you can now write your first Kotlin program. Create a new Kotlin file by right-clicking on your project in the project explorer and selecting "New > Kotlin File/Class." In the new Kotlin file, write the following code:
fun main(args: Array<String>) {
println("Hello, World!")
}This code defines a function called main that takes an array of strings as an argument and prints the string “Hello, World!” to the console.
5. Run your Kotlin code
To run your Kotlin code, you can use the kotlinc command to compile and run your code. Alternatively, you can use your IDE to run the code directly.
In conclusion, setting up an environment to run a Kotlin program involves installing the JDK and Kotlin compiler on your machine, creating a Kotlin project, writing your Kotlin code, and running the code. With these tools and steps, you should be able to get started with Kotlin in no time.
In summary, Kotlin is a modern programming language that offers a number of benefits over Java, such as a more concise and expressive syntax, better support for nullability and immutability, and the ability to target multiple platforms. It is a versatile language that can be used for a wide range of applications and is fully interoperable with Java, making it easy to use in a mixed Java/Kotlin project. If you are a Java developer looking to improve your skills or a beginner looking to learn a new language, Kotlin is definitely worth considering.