java vs kotlin which is the best opinion o

what is kotlin?

Kotlin is a statically typed programming language for Java Virtual Machine (JVM) and JavaScript. Described as a general purpose language, Kotlin introduces functional features to support interoperability and intelligibility. The Kotlin project was born out of the aspiration for heightened productivity. The goal was to improve the coding experience in a way that was practical and effectual. 

Kotlin is both an object-oriented (OO) and functional programming (FP) language. It’s compatible with OO and FP styles allowing developers to incorporate elements from each form. Kotlin offers support for higher-order functions, function types and lambdas, making it a great choice for functional programming.

Is this the end of Java?

There are mixed opinions from developers.

Java is a reputable programming language with vast open source tools and libraries to help developers. With that said, no language is without fault and even Java is subject to complications that can make a developers job tedious. If anything, Kotlin will introduce solutions to common programming headaches and improve the Java ecosystem as a whole.

In the last year, Kotlin has become a more stable and congruous development option for Android Studio. Some developers seem to believe that Kotlin will oust Java for Android development in the coming years. Other experts see Kotlin and Java existing in parallel without one outweighing the other.

For most, Kotlin’s strengths outweigh the language’s setbacks. There are definite limitations within Java that impede Android API design. Kotlin is inherently lightweight, clean and far less verbose, especially in terms of writing callbacks, data classes, and getters/setters. In other words, Kotlin was specifically designed to improve existing Java models by offering solutions to API design deficiencies.

Kotlin addresses a number of Java-induced weaknesses:

Is it Necessary for Developers to Learn Kotlin?

Again, there are mixed opinions.

While it is not entirely necessary for developers to make the switch to Kotlin, they’re going to encounter the language eventually. If you’re already familiar with Java, learning Kotlin will be simple. The language is poised to impact app development on a massive scale, so it doesn’t hurt to learn the basics, and growing with modern techniques and development styles will aid the growth of any developer’s skill set.

The Kotlin 2019 Outlook

With colossal brands like Amazon, Pinterest, Netflix, Uber, and Trello all using Kotlin, support from JetBrains and Google, and almost global attachment to the programming language, it’s pretty safe to say that Kotlin will be around for a while. The real question is: will Kotlin become the champion “write once and run everywhere” language?

Kotlin is quickly proving itself to be a superior programming language for mobile app development and presents developers with a wealth of opportunity to experiment with modern programming. Developers can transition between OO, FP, scripting, and declarative paradigms with zero effort, easily setting a new standard for what a programming language should be able to accomplish.