If you work in an area that is booming, like Android development, you should be aware of the distinctions between Java and Kotlin, two of the most popular programming languages.
Both Java and Kotlin are extremely well-liked programming languages. When you have to select just one language for your Android development project, it might occasionally be confusing. A lack of understanding about popular programming languages also makes it difficult for people to choose one to learn.
We provide to you the key distinctions between Kotlin and Java to address these issues.
Kotlin: What Is It?
A new generation of programming language called Kotlin got open-sourced in 2012. The best elements of both functional and object-oriented programming are intended to be combined in this language.
The JVM and Android environments were created with this statically typed language in mind. By using LLVM, you may utilize it with Javascript and native machine code. Google, the company that created Android, declared in 2017 that it preferred Kotlin as the programming language for Android development.
Kotlin’s Notable Features
- Kotlin can avoid issues that are typically brought on by missing parameters that developers neglected to initialize properly since it is a null-safe language.
- You may apply your Java skills with Kotlin. As a result, developers may create Android apps by combining Kotlin and Java.
- It is not necessary for developers to utilize « null » or « nil » while working on this language. Errors brought on by missing types and arguments can therefore be avoided.
- Tokens and keywords that are not essential are not used in Kotlin. As a result, the code remains compact and is simple to understand for engineers.
- The automated creation of getters and setters makes it simpler for developers to write and read code.
Java: What Is It?
Java may be described as an object-oriented programming language, which is the most straightforward definition. It is typically used to construct backends or standalone apps and runs on the JVM (Java Virtual Machine).
A Java applets plugin has to be enabled in order to run Java in a web browser. However, this is a challenging process that poses security hazards. Thankfully, almost every OS can run Java.
Additionally, Java is used to create the Android operating system. It turns it become the preferred programming language for creating Android applications.
Important Java Features
Java is compiled into platform-neutral byte code, unlike other programming languages like C and C++. Regardless of the operating system you use to execute it, the JVM can decipher the bytes wherever on the internet.
The Java language’s architecture is so simple that anyone can learn it with little effort. It won’t take you long to become proficient in OOP Java if you have a firm grasp of its fundamentals.
Java may be used for lengthy projects since it is an object-oriented language.
- If you want to create a malware- and hacker-resistant program, Java is a fantastic choice. Even an authentication mechanism based on public-key encryption is supported.
- Java is a very portable language since it is platform- and architecture-independent. Any platform of your choosing can be used to run it.
- Java is more dynamic than the other languages when compared to those like C or C++. You may leverage the substantial run-time data that Java-built apps have to check and correct object accesses in real time.
Java and Kotlin: Similarities
Let’s first examine the similarities between Kotlin and Java before comparing them.
- The most striking similarity between both is that they both compile to bytecode, which the JVM then executes.
- Object-oriented programming is supported by both Java and Kotlin.
- Although they are not precisely the same, the programming syntaxes of Java and Kotlin are comparable. A Java developer, however, can easily grasp Kotlin code.
Java vs. Kotlin: Distinctions
We have covered the distinctions between Java and Kotlin in this part.
Null Safety
When you try to access an object while using a reference referring to a null address in memory, a NullPointerException is thrown. Your program may crash when these problems arise since they are nearly hard to avoid.
Because Kotlin is a null-safe language, you won’t have to worry about this problem. A Kotlin variable that throws an error during compilation is non-nullable by default. If a programmer wants a null variable, they must specify it specifically. Therefore, since Kotlin identifies any potential NullPointerExceptions at build time, you won’t see any Kotlin apps break at run time as a result of a null pointer.
Java developers are well aware of the reasons why NullPointerExceptions are referred to be fatal foes. Developers must routinely look for potential NullPointerExceptions when working on this language and address them to stop them from happening at run-time and startup.
Inheritance
One of the most important ideas in object-oriented programming is inheritance. It signifies that a child class will inadvertently inherit the properties of a parent class due to the hierarchical nature of the class hierarchy.
Without having to create a new class, Kotlin developers may gain expanded functionality by using extension functions. With these extension functions, you have to deal with less code and classes as a consequence.
If Java programmers wish to add new features to an existing class, they must first construct a new child class. This new child class not only gives room for additional functionality but also inherits from the parent class.
Inference of Type
Kotlin does not require the variable type to be declared explicitly. Kotlin will guess the type even if you don’t say it.
When declaring a variable in Java, you must explicitly state the type (string, float, etc.). Additionally, programmers must explicitly « cast » a variable to another primitive type if they want to utilize it as another declared primitive type. Typecasting is the name of this method.
On Kotlin, the smart casts capability is accessible. You seldom ever need to typecast your variables manually when using this attribute. You may instruct the compiler to do implicit casting and a check for immutable data using the « is-checks » keyword in the language.
You can see that by replacing Java’s manual typing and variable casting with Kotlin’s smart casting and type inference, you can save time.
Data Classes
Writing boilerplate code is required to build a class in Java. In order to save data in a class, you must define the constructors, toString functions, getter and setter methods, hashCode, etc. It’s a pain, and there could even be some foolish syntax problems, as a result.
You won’t have this issue if you utilize Kotlin for your app project. This problem may be resolved using the Kotlin feature of data classes. Developers must use the term « data » while defining a class if they want to store data in it. This process will automatically generate the boilerplate code that is used in compilation.
By removing superfluous text from your code, this capability vastly improves readability.
Verified Exceptions
When an unexpected occurrence or error happens while a program is being performed, Java enables verified exceptions. They are known as checked exceptions when these exceptions are examined at the time of compilation.
Kotlin, on the other hand, doesn’t provide checked exceptions. This language therefore doesn’t throw any errors at build time, even with uncaught exceptions. Kotlin’s checked exceptions were eliminated, although many programmers believe this was a mistake.
Programming with functions
These two languages differ in that functional programming is a feature. This paradigm for programming links everything using only mathematical functions. It lessens code duplication, makes math issues easier to solve, and makes code more maintainable.
Functional methods, such as operator overloading, lazy evaluation, and higher-order functions, are used in Kotlin. So, if you have experience with functional programming, learning Kotlin won’t be difficult. Java does not, however, support the functional programming notion.
Integrity and Scalability
Your language should be scalable and dependable when working on a development project. Both Kotlin and Java are comparable in these two areas. Additionally, these rely on the way programmers use the language to produce the code.
While Java may accomplish the same goal by detecting and catching null pointer errors, Kotlin includes a null safety feature to make the code more dependable.
Use of Memory
Another crucial performance factor to consider in these two languages is memory. Everyone wants their software to load and operate more quickly, which translates into less memory utilization and quick program execution.
Kotlin lags behind Java in this area. Java should be used if you believe that significant memory consumption would degrade the user experience of your program.
Readability
Because of its data classes and null pointer safety feature, Kotlin is simpler to read than Java. In addition to having higher readability, Kotlin has clear, understandable code that makes it simple to spot errors.
Learning Dynamics and Flexibility
One of the earliest and most established languages is Java. The answer is straightforward: It is quite simple for any aspiring or seasoned programmer to learn and master. Additionally, Java is frequently used by instructors to introduce pupils to principles in object-oriented programming.
Kotlin is a simple language to learn as well. People find it simple to embrace because it works with Java. Without transferring their entire project, developers with Java applications may add functionality by utilizing Kotlin code. Developers using Java and Kotlin may so work together without any issues.
Community and Documentation
Java has a sizable developer community thanks to its long history of use in the development industry. As a result, you have a greater chance of solving your issue within the sizable and supportive Java community.
Despite having proportionally fewer developers in its community, Kotlin’s popularity has grown since Google’s announcement.
We have compared Java vs Kotlin head-to-head in the following table.
Is Java Being Replaced by Kotlin in Android Development?
As you are already aware, Google has adopted a Kotlin-first strategy for Android app development and advises others to follow suit. Speaking of Android Jetpack libraries, the most of them either support Kotlin’s features or were created in it.
On the other side, Google continues to provide complete support for Java in Android development. Most Android applications that are now available were created using a blend of Java and Kotlin code, if you dig into them. Furthermore, there is no chance in the world that Android will soon discontinue supporting Java.
The short answer is no, Kotlin won’t take the place of Java for Android development. Java is used extensively in most Android apps that you use today, in addition to the Android SDK itself. The JVM platform is also used to build the Android OS. As a result, switching from Java to Kotlin would significantly alter the Android environment.
Kotlin won’t totally replace Java, as was made obvious in the discussion above. As a result of Google’s Kotlin first strategy, Kotlin may gain some market share inside the Android ecosystem. Java will still be a widely used programming language, nevertheless.
Conclusion
Every project manager has to be aware of the crucial linguistic elements that influence the success of app development. They will be able to distinguish between Kotlin and Java after reading this post and determine which one best meets their needs for creating robust Android apps.
This article will also be helpful to those who wish to transfer careers and learn a new programming language or start a career as a developer. Learning Java before Kotlin is the preferred order of operations. Any of these online courses for Java are worth a try.
