- Kotlin Introduction
- Kotlin - What is Kotlin?
- Kotlin - History and Features
- Kotlin - Kotlin vs Java
- Kotlin - Setting up the Environment (IDE, Compiler, Tools)
- Kotlin Basics
- Kotlin - Hello World Program
- Kotlin - Variables (val vs var)
- Kotlin - Data Types
- Kotlin - Type Inference
- Kotlin - Comments
- Kotlin Control Flow
- Kotlin - If-Else Statements
- Kotlin - When Expression
- Kotlin - Loops (for, while, do-while)
- Kotlin - Ranges and Iteration
- Kotlin Object-Oriented Programming
- Kotlin - Classes and Objects
- Kotlin - Constructors (Primary and Secondary)
- Kotlin - Properties and Fields
- Kotlin - Inheritance
- Kotlin - Abstract Classes and Interfaces
- Kotlin - Visibility Modifiers
- Kotlin - Data Classes
- Kotlin - Enum Classes
- Kotlin - Sealed Classes
- Kotlin - Object Keyword (Singletons, Companion Objects)
- Kotlin Coroutines
- Kotlin Functions
- Kotlin - Declaring Functions
- Kotlin - Default and Named Arguments
- Kotlin - Single-Expression Functions
- Kotlin - Varargs
- Kotlin - Recursion
- Kotlin - Inline Functions
- Kotlin - Conclusion
Kotlin - What is Kotlin?
What is Kotlin?
Introduction
Kotlin is a modern, statically typed programming language that runs on the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) and can also be compiled to JavaScript or native code. It was developed by JetBrains and officially released in 2011. Kotlin is concise, expressive, and designed to be fully interoperable with Java.
Key Features
- Concise: Reduces boilerplate code significantly compared to Java.
- Safe: Emphasizes null safety to avoid null pointer exceptions.
- Interoperable: Fully compatible with existing Java code and libraries.
- Tool-Friendly: Works with popular IDEs like IntelliJ IDEA and Android Studio.
- Modern: Supports functional programming, coroutines, and other modern paradigms.
Why Use Kotlin?
Kotlin offers several advantages that make it a popular choice among developers:
Improved Readability
Kotlin code is more expressive and readable, making development faster and easier to maintain.
Safer Code
Its type system helps eliminate null pointer exceptions, a common source of bugs in Java.
Reduced Boilerplate
Common tasks such as data class creation, getter/setter definitions, and more are simplified.
Seamless Java Integration
You can use all existing Java libraries and frameworks directly in Kotlin without compatibility issues.
Kotlin in the Real World
Since 2017, Google has officially supported Kotlin for Android development. Today, many companies including Google, Pinterest, Netflix, and Trello use Kotlin for backend services, mobile apps, and more.
Kotlin is a versatile and powerful language that offers a modern approach to software development, especially for Android and JVM-based applications. Its clean syntax, safety features, and full Java interoperability make it an excellent choice for both new and experienced developers.
