Java vs Kotlin
Are you sitting in front of your computer wondering whether to use Java vs Kotlin for your next Android app? However, This decision is crucial; with each language having its advantages, one feels torn on which language to choose. Let’s cut through all the facts and figures and aid in determining which template will suit your project best.
What is Java?
Java is the old horse here. Java is one of the programming languages in the world that has experienced its deserved number of years, it was developed by Sun Microsystems in 1995.
This is an object-oriented general-purpose language, which has been applied to build most of the applications on the internet up to enterprise-level applications.
Key Advantages of Java
Maturity and Stability: Java is one of the most reliable and long-standing languages. It’s huge hence there are a lot of people around who can help you out in case something goes wrong.
Cross-Platform Compatibility: The phrase that best explains this model is written once, run anywhere. Java is platform-independent so you can write your app on any OS and it will run on any OS which has JVM
Robust Libraries and Frameworks: Java has a rich ecosystem. Whether it’s Spring for web applications or Hibernate for ORM, Java’s got you covered.
What is Kotlin?
Kotlin is the new generation which appeared in 2011, developed by JetBrains company. However, Kotlin, being relatively younger, has drawn much attention especially after Google made this language its recommended language for developing Android applications in 2017.
Key Advantages of Kotlin
Conciseness: Kotlin intends to offer less of it; Kotlin has an effort to minimize the amount of boilerplate code. In terms of code size, this can be often developed with the least number of lines as compared with Java.
Null Safety: One of Kotlin’s nickpoints is null and this allows us to avoid those mill woes NullPointerExceptions that can be fatal for our application.
Interoperability with Java: Kotlin can compile to Java bytecode and hence it is fully compatible with JVM which means it has interoperation functionality with Java, that is, it is possible to integrate it with Java. This makes it easier to change a Java project to Kotlin gradually as opposed to in one go.
Java vs Kotlin: In fact, a head-to-head performance showdown
Before moving on, you may be asking yourself about the performance disparity between Java and Kotlin. Frankly, in most instances, it will be hard to take notice of the difference.
Both the languages have JIT compiled to generate bytecode that can run on the JVM so they are equally comparable in the sense of performance. That said, Kotlin seems to be more concise than Java which might result in a slightly better pace of coding.
That is why in real-life scenarios the capabilities of your application depend more on how you code and with the help of which frameworks rather than on whether you use Java or Kotlin.
Can One Language Be Learned More Easily Than The Other?
Kotlin especially will make you feel like you’re coming from Java, you’ll be extremely delighted. It is easy to use and has a syntax that is more contemporary than the average DB.
On the same note, it can be said that Kotlin may be slightly more challenging to learn especially for those who are getting into the programming world for the first time or are new to programming languages.
However, Java has been in existence for a longer time and therefore, there are many resources available for learning, especially for a novice programmer.
Popularity and Job Market: Well, if the marketing team is perplexed as to where to locate the demand, then just look at the fiscal year 2011 numbers and weep/laugh.”
Java is still by far the most sought-after programming language in the industry. Visiting the popular platforms such as LinkedIn or Indeed one will quickly discover there are more vacancies for Java developers rather than Kotlin developers.
With that in mind, Kotlin is quickly becoming popular with developers, especially within the mobile application development context. It is now becoming more popular as many companies already shifting to using Kotlin so it would be a plus if you have this skill.
Java vs. Kotlin: What do the experts Say?
To wrap this up, I found a couple of insightful quotes during my research that perfectly capture the essence of the Java vs Kotlin debate: Finally, I collected a few quotes that I came across during the preparations for this article that pretty much summarized the Java vs Kotlin issue:
Jake Wharton, a software engineer at Google, said: “Kotlin is a fresh language which is 100% similar to Java if you are a Java developer; Kotlin is concise, straightforward, and kind of joking.”
Chet Haase, Chief Advocate for Android at Google, noted: “Java is a proven workhorse that has served us well for decades, but Kotlin is the future of Android development.”
These opinions highlight the transition we’re seeing in the Android development world: while Java remains a strong choice, Kotlin is quickly becoming the language of the future.
When to Choose Java
You might want to stick with Java if
- You are busy with a traditional project that is coded in Java already.
- Whereas you may need something outside of Android applications and devices such as MAC applications or enterprise-level solutions.
- You’re looking for a job in a company that uses Java and will therefore have a large codebase in Java.
When to Choose Kotlin
Kotlin could be the better choice if:
- You are creating an Android application from a blank slate and would like to leverage Kotlin’s features.
- You are required to have cleaner code which comes with less amount of boilerplate code.
- You’re migrating a Java project to a more modern language.
My Take: Java vs Kotlin
Having worked with both languages I can unreservedly say that I have been won over by Kotlin, especially for Android application development. Due to the simple language and the presence of some up-to-date features, coding becomes more interesting. Still, due to Java’s stability and popularity, it cannot be regarded as endangered in any way.
Read the Documentation of Kotlin.
Final Thoughts: Java vs Kotlin
It is therefore essential to pinpoint that deciding between Java vs Kotlin, is more of a choice between one programming language and the other depending on the needs of the developers. Since Kotlin has many modern features and is gaining more and more popularity if you are an Android-focused developer – Kotlin would be a better option for you. Nonetheless, Java can be regarded as rather stable and widely used, which provides its adherents with a rather strong background.
Therefore, why not give both brands a try since they have been described as being of equal quality? There is no one way or rule to decide whether you should stick to Java or take the plunge towards Kotlin as a beginner or as a Java pro; the most effective way is to try using both and choose the one you are comfortable with.