For a long time, Android app development has been on the increase. This is because Android has surpassed Apple as the most popular smartphone operating system. With this new rise in demand, many mobile app development companies are wondering which programming language to utilize to create a cutting-edge and impactful mobile app.
When most professionals think of Android app development, only two technologies come to mind: Kotlin and Java. Both Kotlin and Java are outstanding and widely used programming languages, mostly for their better capabilities, features and ability to create good Android applications.
But when it comes to deciding which one’s better when it comes to Android development, things get a bit tricky. Until Kotlin made its grand entrance, developers were content using Java. Someone new to Android development is now faced with a dilemma: should they use Kotlin or Java development services?
We’ll compare Kotlin and Java in this post to help you make an informed selection. So, without any delay, let’s get started:
Understanding Java
Java is a class-based, object-oriented programming language. It was initially intended to serve the digital cable television business and was built by a “Green Team” directed by James Gosling at Sun Microsystems (now owned by Oracle Corporation). However, the language proved to be too advanced for this purpose, and it eventually found a home in the realm of Internet programming.
Java was first launched in May 1995, and now, almost no developer hasn’t heard of it. It’s no surprise, given that it’s the second most popular language on GitHub, with roughly 70K projects. The core grammar of Java, being an object-oriented programming language, is comparable to that of the C and C++ languages. The whole code is organized into classes, and all values are objects. This enables the development of modular programs and reuse code.
Aside from creating Android applications in Java, developers may also construct desktop apps and app back ends. Unsurprisingly, with a large community and after 25 years of use, Java and Java development companies have shown to be trustworthy and safe.
Features
- Memory is automatically managed
- Garbage collector
- Multiple platform support
Understanding kotlin
JetBrains originally announced Kotlin, a whole new Android programming language, in 2011. It was named after the Russian island of Kotlin and became the official language for Android development in 2017. Kotlin may also be used to create server-side and web client-side applications.
The adoption of the Kotlin programming language has increased dramatically after the 2017 Google I/O conference. This should come as no surprise given that it was designed to be fully JVM (Java Virtual Machine) compatible and compiles to Java bytecode. This implies that Java and Kotlin code may coexist in the same project.
The first thing you’ll notice in the Kotlin vs. Java comparison is that Kotlin is both an object-oriented and a functional language. It supports higher-order functions, function types and lambdas well, allowing it to be used in both object-oriented and functional programming approaches.
Features
- Java interoperability
- Null safety
- Nullable types
- Properties with automatically produced getters and setters
- Minimalist syntax
Similarities Between Java and Kotlin
There are several parallels between Kotlin and Java. Kotlin’s type system, for example, is quite similar to that of Java, which implies that developers may quickly transform their old code into the new language if they wish to experiment with it.
- Type system
- Collections library
- Comparing Java and Kotlin’s Properties
- Extension functions
- Code volume & coding speed
- Null safety
- Coroutine support
- Data classes
- Overloading operators
Conclusion
Kotlin is the official programming language for Android app development, according to the Google Play Store. Most developers would want to utilize Kotlin in order for their app to be accepted by the Play Store. Java, on the other hand, continues to be the general-purpose programming language for Android and other platforms.
Eventually, the developer’s degree of comfort and the sponsor’s marketing plan will determine which programming language is most suited to their Android app development project. We, at Stellar Digital, are one of the finest Kotlin app development company and Java app development company in the city to choose from. Our services are offered by professionals and leaves assured customer satisfaction.
We have done our best in terms of dissecting each aspect that helps you select better. All the very best now!
