Why learn Kotlin?

There are numerous reasons given online why it makes sense to learn the Kotlin programming language. Whether it's the simple syntax, the increased productivity or the multi-platform capability - every argument has its merits. In this article, I would like to not only present the well-known reasons for learning Kotlin, but also share my own considerations that played an important role in my personal decision.

Reason number 1: Kotlin is a young, modern and rapidly developing programming language based on the best programming practices of the last decades.

In order to understand why this is the case, one must briefly look at its origins. Kotlin was developed by JetBrains, a leading provider of Integrated Development Environments (IDEs). The company offers dozens of solutions in this area, including well-known tools such as PyCharm for working with Python, CLion for developing with C and C++, and PhpStorm for PHP programming, to name a few. 

Through its products, JetBrains has gained access to a large community of over 2,5 million active customers worldwide. Over the years, JetBrains has collected data on solution approaches, code patterns, and feedback from developers across different programming languages and technologies. Because of this, Kotlin has adopted the best practices from languages such as Java, Scala, Groovy, C#, JavaScript, and Swift, and enables both object-oriented and functional programming.

JetBrains and the ever-growing Community ensure that Kotlin remains up to date and in line with the latest trends and technological advances in the future.

Reason number 2: Kotlin is an easy-to-learn programming language, which is suitable for both beginners and experienced developers.

It is a good choice for developers who want to start programming for the first time or learn a new language Kotlin has a clear and understandable syntax. 

Here is an example of a simple function to output “Hello World!”

fun main() {
    print("Hello, World!")
}

It couldn't be easier, right? 😉

Even experienced developers will appreciate the benefits of Kotlin as the language offers increased efficiency. Compared to Java, for example, Kotlin allows you to achieve the same functionality with around 20% less code.

Below is a Java code to use the phrase 'Hello World!' is output:

class HelloWorld {

    public static void main(String[] args) {

        System.out.println("Hello World!"); 

    }
}

And now compare it with the Kotlin example above. The difference is clearly visible! 🙂 

Reason number 3: Multiplatform capability

Kotlin is a general-purpose programming language that is well-suited for developing software across various platforms. Whether it involves developing apps for mobile devices, creating backend solutions, programming desktop applications, implementing front-end applications for the web, or crafting AI and data analysis systems, Kotlin offers the necessary tools within its comprehensive ecosystem. 

The heart of this ecosystem is Common Kotlin which includes the programming language, the main libraries and the basic tools for software development.

To interact with a specific platform, there are special versions of Kotlin: Kotlin/JVM, Kotlin/JS and Kotlin/Native. These special versions provide extensions to the Kotlin language as well as platform-specific libraries and development tools.

Kotlin/JVM is a version of Kotlin running on the JVM. It allows developers to use Kotlin code with a variety of existing Java libraries and frameworks and benefit from the stability and security of the JVM platform. Kotlin/JVM is a preferred target for developing server applications and Android apps.

The Android platform is particularly noteworthy in this context, as Kotlin was named by Google as the official programming language for Android in 2017. Since then, Kotlin has enjoyed a special position and has received significant support from Google in its development.

Kotlin/JS is a variant of Kotlin that runs on JavaScript. It allows software developers to use Kotlin in front-end development and integrate with web applications. Kotlin/JS provides the ability to use the same code on both server and client sides.

Kotlin/Native is a modification of Kotlin that generates native code without a virtual machine. It allows cross-platform applications to be developed that can run without depending on a specific platform. Kotlin/Native can be used on various platforms such as desktop, mobile and embedded systems.

Reason number 4: Compatibility with Java

One of the key advantages of Kotlin is its complete compatibility with Java. This means that Kotlin code can be easily integrated into Java projects and vice versa. The technical background has already been mentioned in point 3.

Compatibility with Java is also particularly important for a practical reason, as many large enterprise systems, such as in the banking, automotive or financial sectors, are based on Java and are increasingly relying on Kotlin as part of their further development. What this means for programmers is that the demand for Kotlin developers will be high both now and in the future.