Kotlin vs. Java: Find Out What's Better for Your Business

Quick Overview: Kotlin and Java are popular general-purpose, high-level programming languages used to develop Android applications. This blog will help you understand the top features and differences between Kotlin vs Java. Let’s read it together.

From social interactions to educational and professional pursuits, Android applications are firmly ingrained in our daily lives.

With a staggering 2.5 billion active users spanning 190 countries, it is no shocker that Android has become the world's most widely adopted operating system.

If you're a savvy businessperson looking to capitalize on this enormous market opportunity, then it's important that you select the best programming language for your project – one which enables maximum productivity with optimal results.

In the previous article, we discussed the programming languages used to develop cross-platform mobile applications, namely Flutter vs. Kotlin.

With the Android development world as a backdrop, it's time for an epic battle between two programming languages – Java vs. Kotlin.

The prime difference between Java and Kotlin is that Java is an object-oriented programming language, while Kotlin is a modern language combining OOP and functional programming languages.

Which is better, Java or Kotlin, for Android application development - The question that has long stirred up debate amongst developers.

Keep reading to find out!

In this article, we'll dive deep into each language's history, features, use cases, and more to equip you with all information needed for making an informed choice for application development.

An Overview of Java

Java is a multi-platform language that is object-oriented, network-centric, fast and secure. Its applications span multiple industries from mobile development to enterprise software to big data.

Since its launch in 1995 as one of Android's first native languages, developers have been leveraging this versatile and powerful language for a variety of projects – from easy-to-use mobile apps like Twitter and Spotify to robust software systems such as Signal or large corporate initiatives.

With a wide selection of ready-to-use third-party libraries and code at your fingertips, Java provides efficient solutions for users who want to quickly deploy their programs.

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Features of Java

Java is a programming language that has been around for decades and plays an important role in Android Development.

If you hire Android development company that uses Java, you can take advantage of its extensive set of features, including:

• Object-oriented programming
• Automatic memory management
• Platform Independence

Advantages of Java

The advantages that come with using Java are numerous, including:

1. Cross-platform Compatible

The code written in Java can be run on different operating systems without requiring modification. This allows businesses to save time and money as they can create a single version of their software to be used across multiple platforms rather than having to create multiple versions.

2. Secure

Java is highly secure and reliable, making it a popular choice for applications that deal with sensitive information.

3. Extensive Support

Java's vast community and open-source nature provide a plethora of support resources to both beginners and advanced developers.

Overall, Java can be an excellent choice for businesses looking to create robust, secure, and scalable applications.

Disadvantages of Java

While Java remains one of the most widely used programming languages in the world, it is not without its development challenges, such as:

1. Complex Syntax

Java's syntax can prove to be a little complex, requiring developers to have a deeper understanding of its structure to effectively utilize it.

2. Slower compared to other languages

The fact that Java can be slower than other languages can be frustrating when speed is of the essence. It can also lead to potential performance issues for developers working with it.

3. Android API design issues

Another area of concern for Java developers is the Android API issues that come with using the language for mobile application development.

4. More coding

Java requires writing more code than some other languages, which can be time-consuming and lead to a higher likelihood of coding errors.

Top apps built with Java

With over two decades of innovation, Java's versatile platform has given rise to some extraordinary mobile applications. From entertainment and productivity tools to essential business solutions – here's the list of top Java mobile applications:

1. Spotify
2. Twitter
3. OperaMini
4. Nimbuzz Messenger
5. CashApp
6. NASA World Wind
7. Wikipedia Search
8. Minecraft
9. NetBeans
10. Signal

Now let's explore Java's popularity through some stats and facts.

• As per TIOBE Programming Community Index, Java is currently the world's third most popular programming language.
• According to Statista, Java has firmly established itself as one of the leading forces in mobile application development, with 33% of developers selecting it as their go-to programing language in 2022.

This trend highlights the overwhelming popularity and growing demand for Java among Android developers.

Top Industries that use Java

Top Countries that use Java

Distribution of companies that use Java based on company size (Revenue)

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An Introduction to Kotlin

Kotlin is a powerful, open-source programming language designed to improve Java's API design deficiencies and provide optimal solutions for object-oriented development.

With its combination of JVM and Android capabilities, it offers both functional and object-oriented features as well as type interference.

Much of its success comes from taking Java's approach but streamlining it with fewer rules, a smaller codebase, and a slimmed-down compilation process that ultimately results in slender app sizes.

Overall, Kotlin offers developers an improved version of Java that is cleaner, lighter, and easier to work with – making it one of the most widely used languages among Android programmers today.

Advantages of Kotlin over Java may be what shape its future in this rapidly evolving programming world.

Features of Kotlin

Kotlin has become a popular choice for developers across the world for its innovative features and remarkable versatility, including:

• Compatible with the Java ecosystem
• Concise and simple syntax
• Supports both object-oriented and functional programming paradigms
• Productive way to write a server-side application
• Compatible with all popular IDEs

Advantages of Kotlin

Take a look at some of the unique benefits of Kotlin that differentiate it from other programming languages in the development industry:

1. Better code in less time

The lesser coding often translates into fewer bugs and crashing issues ensuring an added level of stability and easier bug identification.

2. Interoperable with Java

Kotlin is interoperable with Java, meaning developers can easily integrate their existing Java codebase into new Kotlin projects.

3. Faster product release

Kotlin's concise and expressive syntax allows developers to write more concise and readable code. This results in a more streamlined development process, leading to higher-quality code and faster project delivery.

4. Clean APIs

With features such as extension functions, higher-order delegates, and more, Kotlin offers developers an extensive range of tools to craft superior APIs with modern programming concepts.

Disadvantages of Kotlin

Despite its advantages, developers face some critical challenges while working with Kotlin. For example:

1. Fewer Resources

As Kotlin is a relatively new language, there is less community support and fewer resources available compared to more established languages like Java or Python.

2. Slower compilation speed

Kotlin is generally known to have a slower compilation speed than Java. However, there are certain instances where it has proven to outpace Java.

3. Huge boilerplate code

Kotlin streamlines the development process with its highly declarative language. However, generating JVM bytecode can be a challenge due to greater amounts of boilerplate code.

Top apps built with Kotlin

From tech giants to innovative startups, the Kotlin programming language is becoming an increasingly popular choice for mobile app development.

Here's the list of popular apps built using Kotlin:

1. Amazon Web Services
2. Netflix
3. Uber
4. Pinterest
5. Coursera
6. Square
7. Trello
8. Basecamp
9. Quizlet
10. Evernote

Now let's explore Kotlin's popularity through some stats and facts.

• Kotlin is emerging as a leading language for custom app development, as most businesses plan to migrate their apps towards Kotlin.
• Kotlin is now ranked among the top 20 programming languages by Redmonk.
• With 201k+ unique apps and over 791 billion downloads, Kotlin has become the go-to development language for app developers worldwide.

• Jetbrain's survey shows that the current Kotlin Customer Satisfaction Score is 86%.

Top Industries that use Kotlin

Top Countries that use Kotlin

Distribution of companies that use Kotlin based on company size (Revenue)

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What is the Difference between Kotlin and Java

Java and Kotlin are amazing and popular programming languages with significant differences. Java is an established and popular language with a large active community and a wide range of libraries, while Kotlin offers more advanced features and concise syntax, which makes it an attractive choice for developers.

As Kotlin's popularity continues to soar, one might question the effect this will have on Java – will Kotlin replace Java?

Let's dive into their respective differences for answers!

Key Differences: Kotlin vs. Java

We have compiled a list of ten major differentiating points between Kotlin vs Java to help you make a logical decision. Have a look:

1. Null Safety

NullPointerExceptions in Java are a source of frustration for many developers. This exception is triggered when an object reference is assigned a null value, alerting users to the issue and requiring them to handle it properly before continuing their work.

In contrast, Kotlin won't let you assign null values to variables or objects. Therefore there are no NullPointerExceptions in Kotlin.

However, if any particular case arises where the developer needs to use a null value, they can point this out by explicitly marking the variable with a question mark.

2. Extension Functions

Java requires extensive work to modify existing methods, but Kotlin makes it easy with extension functions. These make modifying classes easy and fast, opening an array of possibilities.

3. Code

One of the major differences between Kotlin vs Java is that Kotlin has a less and easy coding structure due to its concise nature, while Java has a lengthy and complex coding structure.

Java can be wordy and complex, but with Kotlin, you get all the same features in a streamlined syntax that's easy to understand.

As a concise language, Kotlin has fewer lines of code than Java – making it easier on the eye and helping minimize human-made errors.

4. Coroutines Support

With Java, CPU-intensive operations for multithreading allow complex operations to be run in the background. However, executing multiple threads can become a challenge if not correctly managed.

On the other hand, with Kotlin's coroutine support, developers can pause the current execution without starting from scratch.

5. Smart Casting

Kotlin has smart casts, which automatically handle type checks and casts, while Java requires explicit type checks and casting.

Java developers must constantly monitor the type of variable during operations, but when writing code in Kotlin, you can trust that your variables are automatically casted with the help of its intelligent compiler.

6. Checked Exceptions

Kotli doesn’t require checked or declared exceptions, which simplifies error handling, while Java requires handling checked exceptions.

Java's checked exception support can be annoying, taking time away from development. However, it guarantees robust code with errors already handled.

7. Type Interface

Java requires explicit type declarations, while Kotlin has type interference, which allows you to omit type annotations and reduce boilerplate code.

In Java, developers must explicitly declare the type of variable they're creating, giving them more control over how their codes will be interpreted.

However, with Kotlin's static typing feature, it can automatically determine the correct data type based on its assigned value.

8. Compilation Time

Java may offer a faster compilation rate, but the two languages are on even ground when it comes to incremental builds. Kotlin and Java produce similar performance results for this process, making them equal contenders.

9. Widening Conversions

Java allows for automatic widening, where smaller types are automatically converted to bigger, whereas Kotlin requires an explicit conversion process every time you convert from small to large numbers.

10. Use Cases

Java is the most general-purpose JVM programming language for a wide range of projects like standalone applications and backend applications, while Kotlin has taken center stage as a preferred choice among developers when creating Android applications.

Both languages provide tremendous versatility and power to create high-quality apps that satisfy any user's needs!

Kotlin vs. Java : Which is better?

Choosing between Kotlin and Java is a popular topic with developers, but deciding which language best fits their project can be challenging.

Comparing these key Kotlin and Java differences can help determine what makes them unique.

However, despite numerous distinctions between Java and Kotlin, these languages are completely compatible with each other. You can blend them together in the same project as two sides of a coin by running Kotlin code from within Java classes or vice versa.

After reading this, you may wonder - Are Kotlin and Java Similar?

Kotlin and Java both share a lot of similarities but also have some notable differences (as mentioned above). So how do you know which language to pick when it comes to Kotlin versus Java?

So, here's the bottom line: Java remains a popular option with strong community support, while Kotlin has advanced features and Android app development capabilities. It’s essential to adapt to the latest technology and stay updated in order to remain competitive in the evolving era of technology.

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ConclusionWe have highlighted Java and Kotlin's considerable strengths and weaknesses in this article. Now, the time has come to pick a mobile app development partner with rich experience in crafting powerful apps in either language.Your app deserves a dedicated team committed to selecting the best technology solution for your project.At Radixweb, we are up to date on the latest advancements and have a team of skilled experts ready to support your application development needs. We offer mobile app development using Kotlin as well as assist you in migrating from Java to Kotlin.Get in touch today and discover how we can help transform digital experiences into something extraordinary!