Autor: 20.02.2024
Java vs. Kotlin - which language is better?
Java and Kotlin are two popular programming languages that attract the attention of developers worldwide. Java, which has been dominant in the corporate world for years, is now facing competition from Kotlin, a younger language created by JetBrains. In this article, we will examine the main differences between Java and Kotlin. This article should help you make a decision about choosing a particular language.
Java - the popular classic
Java was born in 1995 at Sun Microsystems as a universal programming language. It gained popularity due to its portability, safety, and ease of learning. The development of developer tools and the creation of the Java EE platform enabled the creation of scalable business applications. Thanks to its stability, Java has found applications in various fields, from mobile applications to large corporate systems.
Kotlin - Java's younger brother
Initially designed as a language that cooperates with Java, Kotlin quickly gained popularity in the developer community due to its interoperability with existing Java projects and the ability to gradually implement new features.
In 2017, Kotlin was recognized by Google as the official programming language for Android applications, further increasing its popularity. Thanks to its modern syntax, Kotlin speeds up the programming process and reduces the number of potential errors, making it an attractive choice for many programmers.
Main features
Java and Kotlin are different programming languages, but both have many similar features, such as object orientation, type safety, and memory management. However, there are also significant differences in their syntax and functionalities.
Syntax and code readability
Kotlin is often considered more concise and readable compared to Java. It has many syntactic features that can shorten code and make it easier to understand.
Type safety
Kotlin introduces additional type safety mechanisms, which can help avoid errors related to type incompatibility during compilation.
Interoperability with Java
Kotlin was designed to cooperate with existing Java code and its libraries. This means that you can gradually implement Kotlin in existing Java projects.
Null safety
Kotlin includes built-in mechanisms for handling null values. This can help avoid the infamous NullPointerExceptions, which are a common error in Java.
Ease of learning
Kotlin is often considered easier to learn for new programmers due to its clear syntax and support for many modern language features.
Tooling and support
Java is a more mature language than Kotlin, which means it has richer tool support, such as IDEs (Integrated Development Environments), frameworks, and libraries.
Examples of Java and Kotlin code
Nothing demonstrates the features of a programming language as well as a code snippet. So let's now implement identical functionality using Java and Kotlin. We will write code for a function that adds two integers.
Java
public class Main {
public static void main(String[] args) {
int a = 5;
int b = 3;
int sum = add(a, b);
System.out.println("Sum: " + sum);
}
public static int add(int a, int b) {
return a + b;
}
}
Kotlin
fun main() {
val a = 5
val b = 3
val sum = add(a, b)
println("Sum: $sum")
}
fun add(a: Int, b: Int): Int {
return a + b
}
Note the main features:
- In Kotlin, we don't need to provide arguments: Array<String> in the main function. This makes it more concise.
- In Kotlin, we don't have to explicitly declare variable types; the compiler can infer them. For example, val a = 5 instead of int a = 5 in Java.
- Instead of using the + operator to concatenate strings as in Java, Kotlin has string interpolation feature. For example, println("Sum: $sum") in Kotlin instead of System.out.println("Sum: " + sum) in Java.
- In Kotlin, there's no need to use the static keyword for the add function because everything is static by default in the file outside of classes.
Also, notice that in Kotlin, there's no need to add semicolons at the end of lines.
Main uses of Java and Kotlin
Every programming language has its applications. So, let's now take a closer look at the main areas where Java and Kotlin are used.
Java has long been one of the main choices for creating mobile applications on the Android platform. Although Kotlin has become the official programming language for Android, there are still many existing applications written in Java.
Java is also often used for creating web applications, both backend and frontend, thanks to various frameworks such as Spring or JavaServer Faces (JSF). Java is also a popular choice for creating database management systems and desktop applications using libraries such as JavaFX or Swing.
On the other hand, Kotlin is gaining popularity as a versatile language, especially in the context of Android applications . With its clearer and more concise syntax, Kotlin offers developers a convenient tool for creating mobile solutions. Additionally, Kotlin can be used for creating web applications, both backend and frontend, using frameworks like Spring Boot or Kotlin/JS. Kotlin is also used in creating application servers and microservices , both as a programming language and a platform on which they are run.
Java or Kotlin - summary
We have compared the Java and Kotlin programming languages from various angles, such as syntax, type safety, interoperability with existing code, and applications in various fields. Java is a mature language widely used in many areas such as mobile, web, and desktop applications. Kotlin, although relatively newer, is gaining popularity due to its clear syntax and interoperability with Java, especially in the context of Android applications.