Differences Between Java & Kotlin You Must Know
Today’s software industry is a hub of advanced tools and technologies, all designed to build dynamic web and software applications. The entire industry is driven by innovation and a futuristic vision. Two of the most popular programming languages called Java and Kotlin are brilliant products born from this very vision.
In this blog, we will explore the key differences between Java and Kotlin in Android, as well as the general differentiators. There are several reasons as to why Kotlin can serve as a great solution for Android, just as good as Java in many instances.
One of the primary reasons is that using Kotlin means a lesser number of code lines to be written. The simplified way of coding paved the way for a faster and seamless development phase, regardless of the complex nature of the projects. Let’s first take a look at what role Java and Kotlin play individually in the development of intuitive applications.
Many Fortune 500 companies prefer Java as their go-to computing program for application development. Java is used to develop desktop and mobile apps, android apps, server apps, software tools, J2ME apps, embedded systems, big data processing, scientific applications, and more. Being an object-oriented programming language, the Java concepts and codes are quite easy to understand as compared to other languages. It also features an excellent API system that brings developers the necessary support when they are in the code execution phase.
sponsored by JetBrains and Google through the Kotlin Foundation, Kotlin is a new-age general-purpose programming language. It is essentially an open-source, cross-platform coding language that is exclusively designed to work in sync with Java. Both languages are so intertwined that the JVM version of Kotlin’s standard library depends on the Java Class Library. However, Kotlin does have an extra edge as compared to Java. It is equipped with the type inference feature that allows its syntax to be more organized and concise.
Key Differences Between Java & Kotlin
The most effective way of making the difference between Java and Kotlin obvious is by stating an example. Let’s take the findViewByIds feature (used to find the first descendant view with the given ID) into consideration, and how Kotlin eliminates the need to use the same in a script:
Java Coding Line:
TextView text = (TextView) findViewById(R.id.textView);
text.setText(“Hello World”);
Kotlin Coding Line:
textView.setText(“Hello World”)
The features of both these programs also vouch for the subtle dissimilarities between the two. Here is a quick glimpse into how they are different in terms of features.
Primary Features Of Java
- Ideal choice for creating object-oriented applications
- Code written can run on almost any computing platform
- Availability of excellent Java frameworks
- Facilities automatic memory management
- Excellent API system and an extensive library
Primary Features Of Kotlin
- Leverages JVM, which combines the features of OOPs and functional-oriented programming
- Enables trimmed coding and fast compilation
- Code can be written using IDE or using the command-line interface
- Supports several extension functions without making any changes to the code
- Has Smart feature casting that contributes to reducing application costs, as well as improving its performance.
Now, let’s get to exploring the other core distinctions between the two brilliant coding languages that work well together.
| Kotlin | Java |
| Kotlin v1.0 was launched in 2016. Google announced Kotlin as its preferred programming language for Android application developers in 2019, making it one of the modern-day programming languages. | Originally called OAK, Java was built to manage portable devices and set-top boxes. In 1995, Sun Microsystems changed the name to ‘Java’ and altered the language so it could evolve in times of the www (World Wide Web). In 2009, Oracle Corporation acquired Sun Microsystems, taking ownership of Java. |
| Kotlin combines features of both object-oriented and functional programming. | On the other hand, Java is limited to object-oriented programming. |
| With Kotlin, developers do not have to put a lot of effort into the creation of data classes. | Java developers are required to write and build a lot of elements to develop classes. |
| Kotlin allows you to create an extension function. | Java does not feature any extension functions. |
| To developers’ relief, there are no null variables or objects in Kotlin. | Null variables or objects are a significant aspect of the Java language. |
| Kotlin does not support static members. | Unlike Kotlin, Java leverages static members. |
| There are one or more secondary constructors in Kotlin. | Here, there can be no secondary constructors. However, Java can have multiple constructors. |
| Coding scripts written in Kotlin do not need semicolons. | Semicolons are a must when writing codes in Java. |
| Kotlin does not require any variable datatype specifications. | When using Java, variable datatype specifications are required. |
| With its language scripting capabilities, this language allows developers to use Kotlin directly in the Gradle build scripts. | On the contrary, Java does not feature any such language scripting capabilities. |
| Important features like ‘Smart Cast’ and ‘Lazy Loading’ are offered by Kotlin. | These key features are not available in the Java programming language. |
| Kotlin supports modern programming concepts like delegates, extension, and higher-order functions. | Java primarily supports the OOPS programming concept. |
Java vs Kotlin – Which Is Better?
All things being said and done, who takes the crown when it comes to Kotlin vs. Java performance? Granted that both these coding languages come with multiple distinctions. However, the fascinating fact here is that they are incredibly compatible, meaning that developers can easily call Kotlin code from Java, as well as call Java code from Kotlin.
As such, even if different teams working on the same projects are leveraging the best of both programs, they can still compile all the codes in the final stage of the project completion phase.
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Among all the programs driving the software industry, Java has taken a lead owing to its impressive features. It runs on 13 billion devices and any application is meaningless without the input of Java. Understanding the unquestionable significance of Java, today’s leading organizations are looking to leverage the all-popular programming language. As such, Java training has become important for those who wish to make a mark in the IT industry.
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