What is Kotlin? Why You Should Learn It as a Mobile Developer

In the world of mobile development, the choice of a programming language can make or break your app’s success. If you’re familiar with Android development, you’ve probably heard of Kotlin. But what is Kotlin, and why should you care as a mobile developer?

What is Kotlin?

Kotlin is a modern, statically-typed programming language that was developed by JetBrains, the same company behind popular developer tools like IntelliJ IDEA. It was officially announced as a supported language for Android development by Google in 2017, and since then, it has taken the mobile development world by storm.

So, what sets Kotlin apart?

Kotlin is designed to be fully interoperable with Java, the long-standing champion of Android development. This means that you can write Kotlin code alongside Java in the same project and they’ll work together harmoniously. Kotlin was created to improve on some of Java’s more tedious aspects, providing a cleaner, more intuitive syntax, and powerful features that streamline your code.

Let’s dive a bit deeper into why learning Kotlin is a game-changer.

Why Should You Learn Kotlin as a Mobile Developer?

If you’re still on the fence about picking up Kotlin, you might be wondering: “Why not just stick with Java?”

That’s a valid question! Java has been the go-to language for Android development for years. But let me ask you this: Would you stick with a clunky old phone when a new, sleek model offers the same functions but with fewer frustrations? Kotlin is like that upgrade—everything Java can do, Kotlin can do better, and it makes your life as a developer easier. Here are a few reasons why.

1. Concise Syntax

Have you ever found yourself typing out long, repetitive boilerplate code in Java? You’re not alone. One of the biggest pain points for Java developers is its verbosity. Kotlin solves that problem with a more concise syntax. Take a look at this comparison:

Java:

public class Person {
    private String name;

    public Person(String name) {
        this.name = name;
    }

    public String getName() {
        return name;
    }
}

Kotlin:

class Person(val name: String)

It’s that simple! In Kotlin, you can declare a class and its properties in one line. The language’s brevity allows you to focus on the functionality, not the syntax.

2. Null Safety

One of the most notorious errors in Java is the NullPointerException (affectionately known as the “billion-dollar mistake”). In Java, you constantly need to check for null values to avoid crashes. Kotlin addresses this with built-in null safety, which drastically reduces the chances of encountering null-related errors.

Here’s how it works:

Java:

String name = null;
if (name != null) {
    System.out.println(name.length());
}

Kotlin:

val name: String? = null
println(name?.length)

Kotlin’s ? operator allows you to safely call methods on nullable objects. No more writing endless if-statements to check for null—Kotlin does it for you.

3. Interoperability with Java

As mentioned earlier, Kotlin is fully interoperable with Java, which means you can mix the two languages in the same project. This is a massive advantage if you’re transitioning from Java to Kotlin, as you don’t need to rewrite your entire codebase. You can gradually introduce Kotlin into your existing Java projects.

Here’s an example of calling a Kotlin function from Java:

Kotlin:

fun greet(name: String): String {
    return "Hello, $name!"
}

Java:

public class Main {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        System.out.println(KotlinFileKt.greet("World"));
    }
}

As you can see, Kotlin functions can easily be called from Java. This level of interoperability makes Kotlin a smooth transition for Java developers.

4. Coroutines: Easy Asynchronous Programming

In mobile development, handling background tasks efficiently is critical. Long-running operations like network requests or database queries should not block the main UI thread, or your app will become sluggish. In Java, managing asynchronous code can be a nightmare with callbacks and thread management.

Kotlin introduces coroutines, which simplify asynchronous programming, making it more readable and manageable.

Here’s an example of using coroutines for a network request:

import kotlinx.coroutines.*

fun fetchData() {
    GlobalScope.launch {
        val result = networkRequest()
        println("Result: $result")
    }
}

Coroutines allow you to write asynchronous code that looks like synchronous code, making it easier to reason about. They’re also highly efficient, consuming fewer resources than traditional threads.

5. Growing Community and Support

Since Google officially endorsed Kotlin, the developer community has rapidly adopted it. This means there’s a wealth of resources available: tutorials, libraries, tools, and frameworks. Kotlin is well-documented, and you won’t have to look far for solutions if you encounter any problems.

The language is also evolving quickly, with regular updates and improvements. If you’re aiming to stay relevant as a mobile developer, Kotlin is a solid choice for the future.

Kotlin vs Java: Which is Better?

This is the big question, right? Kotlin vs. Java—who wins the battle?

To be fair, both languages have their merits, and the answer depends on your needs. However, Kotlin has several advantages that make it the more modern and efficient choice for Android development. Java is still widely used, but Kotlin offers features like null safety, coroutines, and conciseness that make it more developer-friendly.

Here’s a quick comparison to sum things up:

In short, Kotlin is the future of Android development, and if you’re just starting out, it’s worth investing your time in learning it.

Getting Started with Kotlin

Alright, now that you’re convinced to learn Kotlin (I hope), how do you get started?

Thankfully, Kotlin has a gentle learning curve, especially if you’re already familiar with Java or another object-oriented language. Here’s a simple “Hello, World!” program to give you a feel for Kotlin’s syntax:

fun main() {
    println("Hello, World!")
}

That’s it! Simple, right?

If you’re working in Android Studio, the good news is that Kotlin is already fully integrated. You can start a new Android project, and Android Studio will even offer to convert your Java code to Kotlin automatically!

Final Thoughts

So, is Kotlin worth learning as a mobile developer? Absolutely! Kotlin is not just a trend; it’s here to stay. Whether you’re building your first Android app or maintaining an existing Java project, learning Kotlin will make you a more efficient, more productive developer.

What’s stopping you from learning Kotlin today? Dive in and start coding! The Kotlin community is welcoming, the documentation is excellent, and the language itself is a joy to work with.

Happy coding!