Kotlin vs Java – Anyone who often deals with programming languages knows that they compete with each other. However, they each have their advantages and disadvantages.
Kotlin VS Java: The special features of Java
Over the years, Java has established itself as one of the central programming languages in software development. The language is particularly impressive due to its stability and the extensive support it receives from a huge developer community.
- Java has existed since 1995 and has proven itself to be a reliable programming language in software development. Due to its long history, there are numerous books and videos that explain how to use the language and thus make the work easier for developers.
- Java applications run on the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) and are therefore generally platform-independent. Once written, code can be run on different operating systems without any adjustments.
- Because of its widespread use, Java has a large community. Developers can therefore easily find support, tutorials and tools that are specifically tailored to using Java.
- Java is especially popular in large companies because it has a clear and well-structured syntax that facilitates the development and maintenance of large and complex software projects.
- Java uses static typing, which means that the data type of a variable is determined at compile time. This increases type safety, reduces errors, and enables more efficient code execution.
The special features of Kotlin
Compared to Java, Kotlin is still a relatively young programming language that has quickly gained popularity, especially in Android development. With modern features and a slim syntax, Kotlin offers a good alternative to Java.
- Kotlin was developed to better meet the needs of modern developers. It offers a compact syntax that allows you to write less boilerplate code.
- Kotlin is fully interoperable with Java. This means that existing Java projects can be gradually migrated to Kotlin without the need for a complete rewrite. This way, Kotlin can be seamlessly integrated into Java projects.
- One of Kotlin's greatest strengths is its built-in Zero Security feature, which prevents NullPointerExceptions, one of the most common sources of errors in Java, from the outset. This leads to safer and more robust code.
- Since 2017, Kotlin has been Google's preferred language for Android development. This makes Kotlin the best choice for Android developers as the language is specifically tailored to the needs of this platform.
- In addition to compiling for the JVM, Kotlin also supports compiling for JavaScript, native code, and other platforms. This gives developers more flexibility and allows them to use Kotlin for a variety of projects.
Target groups and possible applications
The two programming languages presented offer different advantages and are therefore sometimes better and sometimes worse suited to different target groups.
- Companies that rely on stability and long-term support will continue to rely more on Java in the future. Java is a good choice, especially for complex, cross-platform applications that need to run on many different systems.
- Android developers looking for a modern yet secure language should consider Kotlin. Thanks to Google's first-class support and better code readability, Kotlin is often the better choice for new Android projects.
- For existing Java projects that need to be modernized, Kotlin is a good choice because of its interoperability. Developers can gradually introduce Kotlin while continuing to use Java, which minimizes risk and eases the transition.
- Startups and companies that want to develop modern applications quickly and efficiently benefit from Kotlin's compactness and modern features. The language allows you to quickly develop prototypes while producing high-quality code.
- However, Java is still a good choice for beginners in programming because it offers a clearly structured syntax and promotes understanding of basic concepts of software development. Universities and schools, for example, continue to rely heavily on Java as a language of instruction.