Currently, Kotlin programming language available in the mobile application development sector. It’s been years after Google announced Kotlin as an official programming language for android app developers. Since then, Java to Kotlin migration is proliferating for Android Apps, and it’s one of the best procedural languages. It is because android app developers do not have to depend on Java programming language as Kotlin can work efficiently on projects that based on mixed languages.
Kotlin is a highly compatible language used with Java and Objective C. So, we can get a much broader learning curve with it. Let’s move in to understand the reason for why Java to Kotlin migration is essential and how Kotlin Vs Java works out.
Kotlin Vs Java
Java is one of the top languages that give favoured to Android programming language. It is an object-oriented language crafted to have limited implementation dependencies. The android app developers use Java as it supports ‘Write once, run anywhere’ code. Then why peers want to move to Kotlin? Even after Java is offering so much.
Java Use Cases
Kotlin Use Cases
Android- OSS
NewPipe
WordPress Engineering
Basecamp 3 Android App
KotlinConf Schedule Application
Some developers are using Java 6 and 7. Whereas in Java 8, there are some features still missing. On the other hand, we can say Kotlin is a new programming language for modern application based on JVM (Java Virtual Machine). Kotlin can easily integrate with Android Studio, which other than Java no one can offer. Today, we’ll explain how Kotlin edge over Java.
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How to start with
Have you decided to switch to a new programming language? Try laying your hand on languages like C++, C#, Kotlin, Java etc. Here, let’s understand about Kotlin and its applications with helping them to stand out from others.
Java Compatibility
Kotlin comes with great interchangeability feature with Java. Here the android app developer can work on projects with deploying code in both Java and Kotlin. If users do this, there would be no effect on the outcome of the project. If you have written code in Java and Kotlin, it becomes challenging to find out the in which platform the project compiled. As everything is written in the same way, it becomes easier to change the Java code to Kotlin. It will save your project time from the beginning and will offer the majority of Java libraries and frameworks in your projects.
Get Easy Transformation
If you’re looking for an advanced structure Java-like platform, Kotlin works well for you. Whatever skills your Java developers have you can use them in complying your Kotlin projects. Kotlin syntax works the same as Java programming development. Say, for example, to create a new class in Kotlin you can use the syntax as:
class MainActivity : AppCompatActivity() {
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Best Offer
Numerous of programming languages are available in the market. Each platform has its strength and weakness. Also, it depends on developers that what exactly he wants to extract. There are times when it becomes tough to choose one from both. Kotlin works great with concepts and element so we can recommend it as the best language to work on.
Android Studio Support
Android Studio based on IDE (integrated development environment). Where JetBrains, the company behind Kotlin develop IntelliJ. The JetBrains integrate Kotlin along with Android Studio and along with IDE compile and run Kotlin code very comfortably. Moreover, Android Studio offers auto-completion, full refactoring support and testing of Kotlin.
Excellent Tool Support
As discussed above, Android Studio is compatible with Kotlin and hence developer transform all Java files and code snippets in one go. Additionally, there is an extension and properties function available to extend functionality classes without inheriting it.
Modern and Expensive
Kotlin is a bit of expensive and contains safety features for nullability. This feature makes the android app healthy and efficient. Other languages might lack this feature. The developer can call functions by using named arguments and make sure the code is reusable with using smarter apps.
Kotlin is Open and More Concise
The compactness of Kotlin is well-known where Java takes codes into account. As few numbers of codes will result in fewer bugs. The other significant issue that the developer’s face is deploying the boilerplate code.
Work as an enterprise Language
With comparing other languages, Kotlin is entirely new in the tech domain. It developed by JetBrains and handled practical and real-world problems. The language developed for more enterprise-specific and complete statically programming language.
Excellent IDE Support
JetBrains backs the programming language with developing some IDE available in the market. Like other languages, Kotlin works excellent with integration. It also comes with various plugins and other JVM based languages which to work closing with Kotlin.
To summarize why Kotlin is better…
- It is highly compatible with Java
- Have similar syntax to Java
- Backed up by Google
- Modern and Expressive Language
- Android Studio Supports
- Excellent Tooling Supports
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Checklist of few apps that have migrated from Java to Kotlin
Uber
Uber, one of the most successful on-demand rides sharing application which supports both iOS and Android, has migrated from Java to Kotlin. Uber Eats is an on-demand food delivery app that serves door to door delivery and uses the same platform. Hire our on-demand food delivery app developer to build a fantastic application for you.
If you’re looking for any inspiration, then Pinterest works as a great platform based on your creative thoughts. It’s a photo-sharing platform that uses Kotlin Android App Development.
Evernote
A cross-platform mobile and web app which support platforms like Microsoft Windows, Android and iOS. User can perform operations like listing tasks, organizing notes and archiving.
Kickstarter
It’s a world’s largest funding platform that helps in providing funds to creative projects. The app is powered by Kotlin and add related projects to different categories like Comics, music, art, designing etc.
Corda
It’s an open-source Blockchain project that helps developers to create interoperate blockchain network and based on Kotlin.
Shadowsocks
The app is entirely built on Kotlin programming language and offers secured cross-platform app development to help users use the internet in a secured way.
Simple Calendar
It was full Java based apps and now is wholly based on Kotlin. It’s an open-source ad-free application that allows the user to set-up reminders and generates recurring events.
Final Thoughts
Kotlin is making spot among most essential programming language and runs on JVM. There is no denying that migrating your existing Android codebase to Kotlin brings an exciting process. In the end, the overall outcome will be worth the effort. You can hire android app developers to reduce the extra efforts and start migrating process.
If you’re excited about Kotlin and want to build an app, we are open to working for you. Connect with us, and Thanks for reading!