Kotlin vs. Java: Which is the better Android Development Language

Choosing the right programming language for Android development is crucial to measure the app’s future success. With Kotlin emerging as the new Android development language, it is essential to answer the common queries like, is Java dead? Or, are Kotlin application development services better than Java development? Or Which is better: kotin or Java?

This blog will uncover all these questions and clear all the doubts with apt differences between Kotlin vs. Java. Let’s start.

Overview of Java

Being the oldest Android native language, Java is a multiplatform and object-oriented language. While developing apps using Java, developers can create modular and robust applications. The best part is that Java is relatively easy to use, compile, debug and deploy. Also, it has a plethora of ready-to-use third-party code that can be used extensively. Since Java is open-source, you can rely on it for safety as different reputed companies manage its libraries. Top applications in Java are Twitter, Spotify, Signal, etc.

Some of Java’s main development challenges include:

-A little complex syntax
-Slower than other languages
-Android API design issues
-Writing more code

Overview of Kotlin

Being a new language developed using Java’s inspiration, Kotlin is more clean, lightweight and straightforward. It comes with lesser rules and is an improved version. Since the code is less, which helps in faster compilation, the developers design the application with a smaller application size. However, there is a need to understand all the programming fundamentals and structures. Top applications in Kotlin are Trello, Evernote, Pinterest, etc.

Some of Kotlin’s main development challenges include:

-Less popularity
-Steep learning curve
-Small support community

Kotlin vs Java Face-off

Kotlin Features

-The option is available in kotlin and whenever anything returns null, a compile-time error is shown to the developer.

-Two options are available in Kotlin, namely, raw string and escaped string. Moreover, the string templates also support the expressions.

-Does Not have static members for class. Here, developers have to use companion objects to create these members of the class. Developers have to declare the object in the class using the companion keyword.

-This feature helps the Kotlin compiler to analyze the condition inside the expression. If it finds that the expression is returning a non-null value even being a nullable expression then, it allows access to the variable.

-The wildcard types are not available in Kotlin. But it offers two other options, namely, type projections and declaration site variance.

-In Kotlin, developers have the option to invoke functions. Developers can do equality checks, arithmetic operations, and different things by using the symbols like -, +, *, /, %, <,>.

-With Kotlin, developers can use the extension functions. These functions can be used by developers to add methods to classes, without altering anything in their source code. They can extend the functionality of the class with new things smoothly.

Java Features

-NullPointer Exception is one of the most irritating errors that comes in Android development while using Java.

-Templates are available in Java but not like in the Kotlin language.

-This option is available in Java and is used for memory management. The keyword can be applied to methods, variables, nested classes and blocks.

-This feature is not available in Java. However, instances can be used to check the type and then developers can cast it to the right type.

-Java offers wildcard types that represent the unknown types and developers can use them in different situations according to their preference.

-When it comes to Java, the operators are linked to certain data types. Other than the linked data types, other types cannot use the operator.

-This feature is not available in Java. In Java, developers have to create a new class to extend the functionality of the existing class and use the objects to use the new functionality.

-This particular feature does not exist in Java.

Conclusion

Now that all the differences between Java and Kotlin are discussed, it is time to choose the best Java or Kotlin app development company for android development. Have a look at every Java and Kotlin application development service and portfolio provided by these companies and select the company wisely!

Note: As both these android development languages are inoperable, you can select any of them as per your required preferences.