What is kotlin
Kotlin is an object-oriented and functional programming language. This was originally made available in 2011. The language is statically typed. Kotlin is a programming language that runs on the java virtual machine (jvm) and is intended to make programming easier and more expressive than java. Along with java and c++, google officially supports the open-source programming language kotlin for use in the creation of android apps.
Jetbrains developed the kotlin programming language. It is responsible for a number of well-known development ide application tools, including pycharm, resharper, and intellij idea. Kotlin was initially intended to be just such a language. It might work with java programming and be utilized as a more current programming option. But it has developed since then, gaining its own qualities and advantages.
Similar to c++, the kotlin language provides both object-oriented and functional programming paradigm characteristics. Lambdas, coroutines, extension functions, null safety, and other features are all included in the kotlin programming language. Additionally, java code and kotlin have superior compatibility characteristics. As a result, software engineers may combine kotlin and java programming in a single project with ease.
Kotlin basics
Let us now go through some of the major features of the kotlin programming language.
Variables – there are two types of variables in kotlin programming. var and val. Var is used for mutable program variables. While val variable is used for immutable kotlin variables.
Here you are given a simple kotlin variable declaration.
var x: int = 111
val y: string = “vcanhelpsu”
Data types – kotlin supports all common data types like int, double, boolean, string, etc.
Kotlin mutable variable declaration
val x: int = 12
val paid: double = 11000.50
val test: boolean = true
val info: string = “vcanhelpsu”
Why used kotlin
As an innovative and useful programming language, kotlin has grown in popularity. Wherein a variety of applications, including as the creation of mobile apps, websites, server-side applications, and many more, may be carried out using kotlin. Some of the justifications for using kotlin programming are listed belo
- Easy integration with java – the kotlin language is completely integrated with java. So, it’s simple to call java code from kotlin programming and vice versa. As a result, integrating kotlin into already-existing java applications or switching java code to kotlin is made easier and simpler.
- Expressive and brief syntax – the kotlin programming language provides an expressive and concise program syntax. This lessens the redundancy of boilerplate code. Kotlin programs are so simpler to read and maintain. For instance, among other characteristics, kotlin provides a fairly straightforward program syntax for defining classes, null safety, and extension methods.
- Null safety – kotlin programming comes with built-in null safety mechanisms. They strengthen and stabilize the code and assist prevent null pointer exceptions.
- Higher-order functions and lambdas – kotlin has complete support for higher-order functions and lambdas. They are particularly helpful when dealing with collections and functional programming to write more expressive and succinct kotlin code.
- Android development – the official supported programming language for android development is kotlin. Additionally, kotlin has become more popular in the android developer community as a result of java’s inferior syntax and capabilities. Many android developers are now using kotlin for new projects or migrating their legacy java code to kotlin.
Best features of kotlin
There are several built-in features in kotlin programming. This makes it an appreciated and contemporary programming language. Here are some of kotlin programming’s strongest points.
- Short syntax – the kotlin language features a short and expressive program syntax. Consequently, kotlin programs have less boilerplate code, which makes the code simpler to understand and maintain. Kotlin offers a streamlined syntax, for instance, for extension functions, null protection, and class definition.
- Built-in null safety – mechanisms are available in kotlin programming. Can make kotlin code more reliable and stable by assisting in the prevention of null pointer errors.
- Java interoperability – kotlin programming is entirely java interoperable, allowing java code to be readily called from kotlin programs and vice versa. Because of this, integrating kotlin into already-existing java applications or switching java code to kotlin is significantly simpler.
- Extension functions – kotlin allows extension functions for programs. Because of this, kotlin developers may extend the functionality of existing classes without changing the original class. For kotlin software developers, this helps them build clearer, more modular code.
- Coroutines – support for coroutines is included by default in kotlin programming. Which are thin threads that enable asynchronous programming. Without the complication of callbacks or threads, coroutines make writing asynchronous program code simple.
- Higher-order functions and lambdas — kotlin programs support lambdas and higher-order functions. Which are better for producing clearer, more expressive code, particularly when using collections and functional programming.
- Kotlin has support for data classes – which contain classes made to hold kotlin program data. Data classes provide boilerplate code on their own. Like tostring(), hashcode(), and equals(), which minimize the quantity of program code. That developers must write.
- Operator overloading – the kotlin language supports operator overloading. It enables kotlin programmers to create custom operators for classes. As a result, kotlin program code may become more expressive and readable.
Kotlin programming pros and cons
Kotlin programming offers benefits and drawbacks much like any other programming language. Here are a few benefits and drawbacks of utilizing kotlin.
Pros of kotlin.
- Expressive and brief syntax – the kotlin programming language provides an expressive and concise program syntax. It makes kotlin program code easier to understand and maintain and removes program boilerplate code.
- Java compatibility – kotlin programming is completely java compatible, allowing java code to be readily invoked from kotlin program and vice versa. As a result, moving java code to kotlin or integrating kotlin into already-existing java applications is substantially simpler.
- Kotlin comes with built-in null safety – measures. Can improve the stability and robustness of kotlin program code by preventing null pointer errors.
- Coroutines — kotlin has support for coroutines by default. Those are asynchronous programming’s lightweight threads. Without having to deal with the complexity of callbacks or threads, coroutines make it simple to build asynchronous program code.
- Data classes – data classes are supported by kotlin. Those are classes made specifically for kotlin programs to store data. Data classes decrease the amount of code by automatically generating boilerplate code like equals(), hashcode(), and tostring(). This calls for programmers to write code.
Kotlin cons.
- Learning curve – while kotlin programming is usually thought of as a simple programming language to learn, there is a learning curve. However, learning to program in kotlin requires some practice for software engineers. The kotlin programming language novices.
- Small community – in comparison to java programming, kotlin is a relatively young programming language. As a result, there is a tiny development community for kotlin and related materials.
- Tooling support – kotlin’s tooling support is currently lagging behind java’s, thus some ideas and build tools might not fully support kotlin.
- Performance – programming in kotlin is often quicker. It might not be as efficient as certain other languages for programming, such c or c++.
- Overhead – because of null safety and other features like coroutines, kotlin program code sometimes has greater overhead than java program code.
Kotlin for beginners
If you’re just starting off with kotlin programming. So, here are some instructions for beginning kotlin programming.
- Install kotlin – to begin, download and install the kotlin compiler from the language’s official website at https://kotlinlang.org/docs/tutorials/command-line.html.
- Get the fundamentals down – kotlin is a programming language with a short syntax. It is simpler to understand. Start by becoming familiar with kotlin’s fundamental syntax. Such as the variables, data types, control structures, functions, and classes used in kotlin programs.
- Try kotlin playground – kotlin playground is a web-based editor or development tool for kotlin programming. Because of this, kotlin programmers may write, run, and share code online without having to download anything to their machine. It’s an excellent opportunity to test out kotlin and learn how it functions.
- Build a simple application – once you’ve mastered the fundamental syntax of kotlin programming, you should build a simple application. So, you try to make a straightforward kotlin application today. A straightforward android app or a kotlin console-based application are good places to start.
- Use kotlin with android studio – if you build for android, utilize kotlin with android studio. As a result, android studio supports kotlin programming. This is android’s authorized integrated development environment (ide). The creation of android applications is well supported by kotlin. And compared to java, kotlin is more user-friendly for many software developers.
- Go through the kotlin documentation and tutorials – kotlin has a wealth of information available on its website (https://kotlinlang.org/docs/home.html). These might assist you in learning more about the features and programming resource language kotlin.
- Become a member of the online kotlin community – which is made up of a significant and expanding community of software engineers who work in the programming language. To network with other kotlin software developers and gain knowledge from their experiences, you may sign up for kotlin forums, organizations, and social networking sites here.
How to download kotlin
You essentially need to carry out these actions in order to download a kotlin program.
- First, visit https://kotlinlang.org, the kotlin software’s official website.
- In this window, select “download” from the top navigation menu.
- This will take you to a page. Then you may choose whatever kotlin version you wish to download to your pc. Depending on your operating system and desired development environment, pick the right kotlin download version.
- As soon as you’ve decided the version you want. Next, select the “download” option to the right of it.
- The kotlin installation file will begin to download and save to your pc.
- When you’ve finished downloading the kotlin program, open the installation file and use the instructions to install kotlin on your computer.
- You may start utilizing kotlin programming in your preferred development environment as soon as the installation is finished. You may begin creating kotlin program apps using a tool like as intellij idea, eclipse, or android studio.
Keep it in mind if you currently utilize android studio. Kotlin is thus pre-installed in android studio and does not require a further download. You may immediately begin utilizing it for kotlin development in your android apps.
How to create first program in kotlin
You may mostly follow these instructions to write your first kotlin program.
Launch the kotlin programming environment of your choice. Like eclipse, android studio, or intellij idea.
You now start a fresh kotlin project.
New kotlin file creation. You may accomplish this in intellij idea or android studio by selecting “new” from the context menu when you right-click on the project folder, “kotlin file/class”, and then “kotlin file.” you may choose “file”, “new”, and “kotlin file” in eclipse.
Greeting: “welcome to vcanhelps.com!” in the kotlin file. To print, type the following code. On a console.
fun main(arguments: array<string>) {
println(“welcome to vcanhelps.com!”)
Kotlin program file should be saved.
Run the kotlin program code file you just made. You can accomplish this in intellij idea or android studio by selecting “run” from the context menu when you right-click on the file. You may choose “run” in eclipse, followed by “run as” and “kotlin application”.
When the program is finished, “vcanhelps.com” will appear. Need to see. On the console in print.