Which One Should You Opt for Android App Development? Kotlin or Java
There is no doubt that Java enjoyed a superior position when it came to the programming language and was considered as one of the most important tools for the Android app development. However, with the passage of time, the Android developers got various other options as the programming language. Some of these include C#, Lua, C/C++, JavaScript, Scala, and Clojure etc. But there is one particular statically typed programming language that has hogged the limelight and even Google I/O is focusing on it. It is Kotlin which was developed by JetBrains. In fact, the Google I/O has announced at a conference that they would make Kotlin as an officially supportive language for developing the android apps. Soon after this all crucial announcement, there was a spur and the experts began to debate over which is better Java or Kotlin. One of the advantages that Kotlin also offers is that you can successfully be complied and run on Java Virtual Machine (JVM). To be frank and honest, we are here to witness why Kotlin excels over Java by focusing on its pros and cons. Kotlin Can be Learnt Easily in Comparison to Java The first convenience that Kotlin offers to the aspirants of Android App Development is that it much easier to learn it in comparison to Java programming language. Anyone can learn this language and you don’t need any prior knowledge of mobile app development. In addition to that, the programming language can be written in quick time. Plus, if you are familiar say with Java or C# coding, it will be icing on the cake. In fact, the developers of Kotlin did a commendable job by simplifying the language that even children can learn. Gets Full Support from Android Studio Also, the developers get extended support from Android Studio and they get aware of the adaptation tools. It is interesting to note that while working on a project with Kotlin language, the developer can also choose Java simultaneously without any second thoughts in mind. Therefore, even the Java practitioners can easily understand Kotlin and implement the same while building apps. Kotlin Offers the Best Approach for Programming When an Android Developer opts for a programming approach, he may have various options at his disposal. At times, it becomes somewhat tricky to pick a particular programming paradigm as each one has its own pros and cons. Now, you don’t have to create any confusion and rely upon Kotlin that offers a well-balanced combination of functional and procedural programming. Kotlin also offers extension functions that help to extend the competence of the class. The developers don’t have to follow the same traditions and decorative patterns, which in turn, helps to modify the class. However, those who have used Java will know that they need to make use of the utility class by using the codes from java.util.Collections. These codes are very long and complex as well. It will take a lot of time as well. But when you have Kotlin, why take the alternative route? Better use it. Kotlin Provides Precise and Reliable Codes In the dual between the Java and Kotlin over the codes, the latter offers a more comfortable experience to the developers as the codes are more concise and compact. If you have to write less codes, it will mean there are less chances of bug creation. On the other hand, Java is a programming language where the developers need to use long-winded words for the coding whereas, Kotlin uses less boilerplate code. Kotlin is known for its code reliability. Often it has been observed that the developers face problems related to runtime errors, the syntax failing to release, not using the null pointers correctly etc. the developers should know that it is the null pointers that that helps in writing an appropriate code free from errors. And all these advantages are offered by Kotlin. The compiler won’t permit to use variables that do not have assigned values. So, if you want to use the variable, then it is important to put a question mark towards the end. The job of the compiler is then to monitor the nullable value whenever the code is written. Now, what is the benefit? It enhances the security of the generated code. Controlling the Consistency of Data Another big advantage that Kotlin offers over its competitor Java is control over the consistency of data. This has indeed come as a huge blessing for the Android developers because they do not have to take the pains of going for the manual command system to keep up data uniformity. In fact, they have a couple of options to change it. The first method is to represent it via keyword ‘var’ and the second is applying the read-only option through the keyword ‘val’. It only keeps data consistent but also reduces the threats and chances of flaws if any. However, in the case of Java, the keyword used is ‘final’, which is not very helpful for the app developers. The Advantage of Higher-order Functions Well, typically speaking the higher-order functions are specific languages that can accept other functions as arguments or return it as value. However, one of the prime reasons why they are needed is that they help in shortening the programs even if it is very complex and has a difficult logical structure. The codes can be written in a graceful manner. On the contrary, this is something which remains absent in the Java. You are not getting the accessibility of these commands here. With Kotlin you also get the facility of lambda expressions in which the functions does not get announced in advance, but it gets a call from another function. Kotlin Beats Java in Data Classes Some of the other areas where probably the Kotlin excels over the Java is with respect to the data classes. To simply the fact, classes are actually the storage houses where the data is stored and it is often indicated through a prefix such
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