We are sure your favoured language have been Java among all the languages if you are a mobile developer. Java programming language has been at the gist of Android App Developers, ever since Android applications have been introduced into the play store.
However, in the last decade, many other programming languages have challenged Java with Kotlin becoming the principal leader. Google recognized Kotlin packed with punch and thus acknowledged as the second official language of Android App Development.
In the mobile app development framework, Kotlin with a range of programming features and efficient coding has grabbed a lot of attention. Now Kotlin is a threat to Java. If stats are to be believed, Kotlin threatens to replace Java in the mobile app development ecosystem.
At a moment when more and more applications are pouring in, the jump to cross-platform Kotlin growth is observed. Enterprises like Netflix, Trello, Uber, and Airbnb have already adopted Kotlin over Java.
In this article, let us find out is really Kotlin better than Java? Why Kotlin has become the best app development language and how it becomes more popular than the renowned name Java.
Also Read: Android App Development: Tools To Overcome Coding Challenges
What is Java?
Java is an object-oriented programming style that was published by Sun Microsystems. Java emerged 23 years ago, and with other prominent languages like Scala and Groovy, it has stayed in the principal languages in Android app development.
Ever since Java android app development is launched is widely utilized in the designing of Android apps, web apps, embedded systems, server apps, and websites.
Most of the Java components are available as accessible-source, and for the remainder, there are predominantly substitutes for them. Java reputation is very much in financial software growth.
What is Kotlin?
Kotlin is a programming language that uses JVM, Android, JavaScript, and Native to integrate. JetBrains create it under the Apache 2.0 license as an open-source platform.
If you wonder’ why use Kotlin’ for the programming language of the Android studio; this is because the developer can use Kotlin in the form of object-oriented programming and effective programming.
For CPU architectures and operating systems such as iOS, Windows, Linux, and Mac, Kotlin uses LLMV compiler technology to gather Kotlin codes into binaries. The best thing about this language is that it incorporates functional and object-oriented programming features.
KOTLIN OR JAVA FOR ANDROID: LOGIC TO CHOOSE ONE
Many differences can determine the use of language between Kotlin and Java. Below, we are making a comparison between Kotlin and Java that may lay the groundwork of the application project that you can go with in the future.
1. MARKET PRESENCE
If we go through the TIOBE programming community index, Java greatly influences the app development process. It sits right at the top with a 15.058 per cent rating. On the other hand, Kotlin can’t be seen in the top 20 programming languages anywhere as of now. The previous year, Kotlin was able to occur in top 50 of the standings, and as of July 2019, it has leaped two positions to 47.
However, Kotlin is continuously making its way to the market. Moreover, Kotlin has already been adopted by big businesses like Basecamp, Netflix, Amazon, and Square. But if we look at the current scenario, Java is more popular than Kotlin.
2. TRANSITION
At first, Kotlin was engineered in such a way that it could effectively compliant with Java. The designers can, therefore, translate java codes into Kotlin and vice versa without changing the operability.
As the new language, Kotlin provides some unique characteristics that make Kotlin a preferred choice over Java. Users can’t distinguish between the two since the codes of both the programming languages are classified to JVM bytecode.
3. CODING
As opposed to Kotlin, the amount of programming needed in Java is quite a ton, whereas Kotlin is engineered in such a manner that the amount of boilerplate code is required the least. Kotlin helps cut the code by roughly 40%, as per JetBrains.
According to a study carried out after transferring the “App Lock” app from Java to Kotlin, the code lines had a 30% decrease.
Real results show that after transferring the “App Lock” app from Java into Kotlin, the number of code lines lowers by 30%. The code lines 12,371 of Java, has reduced to the code lines 8,564 of Kotlin.
And as we already know, a safer code is written in lesser code lines. Hence, Kotlin prevails over Java concerning coding.
4. PERFORMANCE
Due to a similar bytecode framework, Kotlin output is just as fast as Java codes. But Kotlin operates better than the Java for software using lambdas; thanks to Kotlin’s inline feature support.
Tests show that Java compiles 10-15% quicker for clean upgrades.
As per JetBrains, “A Kotlin application operates as quickly as an identical Java one, thanks to very comparable bytecode framework.
Code using lambdas often operates even quicker than the same code published in Java with Kotlin’s assistance for inline features. “Kotlin performs better than Java, considering incremental compilation.
5. ANDROID STUDIO 3.0 SUPPORT
Java significance in the Android ecosystem is not that remarkable. Android Studio 3.0 actively promotes Java 7 and some of the Java 8 characteristics, but Java’s recent version is SE 10, with no Android Studio assistance.
Due to this, application developers are more willing towards Kotlin since it fully embraces the capacity of the new versions. Once more, Android Studio is focused on the JetBrains’ IntelliJ IDEA, which is extremely good for Kotlin.
6. COST
Kotlin is free to work, and if someone employs Java then Java-to-Kotlin converters are available for free. One thing that requires to be installed is the Kotlin Plugin. In addition, Kotlin can operate freely with all Java’s libraries and frameworks.
Kotlin integrates fully with construction instruments such as:
- Gradle
- Maven
- Ant
- Kobalt
Although there may be some cost involved for Android designers to learn Kotlin.
7. COMMUNITY SUPPORT
Java is two decades old and has been able to create a stable and compelling user base around the globe by then to now. Back then, we can always trust the incomprehensible of applied Java projects.
Java has 82,713 repository outcomes in Github as of today. Thus the odds remain high for the questions that a programmer may be looking for, which genuinely makes the development process a breeze.
If we look at the databases of Kotlin, it’s far less than Java, and it is still in the half-phase. Therefore, for the design phase, there are not many Kotlin specialists that can be found.
Also Read: Native Apps Vs Hybrid Mobile Apps : Which Approach Is Better – Jack Of All Or Master Of One?
Conclusion
The war between the best seems to be unending until one is declared as the winner. While being the old school programming language, Java holds the reliability, stability, and security. On the other hand, Kotlin programming language is designed, keeping in mind the new technological needs. iOS App Development has also adopted Kotlin over Java for programming their applications. But that does not imply, Java has lost its dominant position. It is still in the race and pretty much doing well.
What are your thoughts on the same? Share your views with us here!!
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