Kotlin Vs Java

Kotlin Vs Java

There are many languages available for Android development. Java is the official language for android development but Kotlin is becoming popular nowadays. This article discusses both of these languages and the differences between them.

What is Kotlin?

• Kotlin is a general-purpose, open source programming language.
• Kotlin was originally developed by JetBrains, the same company that developed IntelliJ IDEA in the year 2010.
• Kotlin version 1.0 was officially released in February 2016.
• Kotlin is now supported by JetBrains and Google via the Kotlin Foundation.
• Kotlin programs are executed on Java Virtual Machine (JVM). They can be executed on various other platforms.
• Kotlin follows Object Oriented as well as the Functional Programming approach.

Kotlin program Example

The following program demonstrates how to write a basic Java program.

Sample.kt

 fun main()
{
println("Hello World")
} 

Output:

Hello World

In the above Kotlin code,the main() function has a printlin()function that displays the output on the console window.

Features of Kotlin

• Kotlin offers faster compilation.
• Kotlin provides many extension functions without changing any code.
• Smart cast feature helps to reduce the cost of application and improves the speed as well as the performance of the application.

What is Java?

• Java is an Object-Oriented Programming language. It was developed and releasedby Sun Microsystems in the year 1995.
• Java programming is one of the most preferred programming languages because of security. It is platform-independent. It does not support explicit pointers. It makes Java programs more secure.
• One must install JDK before executing the Java program. The Java code is first compiled into a byte code. And the byte code is then interpreted. The byte code can be executed on any other platform which has Java Virtual Machine (JVM) installed on it. This makes the Java programs portable.
• There are three versions of Java.
• Java EE (Enterprise Edition)
• Java SE (Standard Edition)
• Java ME (Micro Edition)   

Java program Example

The following program demonstrates how to write a basic Java program.

Sample.java

 /* Declaration of Class */
class Sample
{ 
    /* Driver Code */
    public static void main(String ar[])
   { 
      /* Print statement */
System.out.println("Hello World"); 
    } 
}  

Output:

Hello World

The above Java program declares a class Sample. The System.out.println() method displays the output on the output window.

Features of Java

• It provides Write Once Run Anywhere functionality.
• It allows distributed computing because of the Write Once Run Anywhere approach.
• Itsupports multithreading and provides a garbage collection facility.

Kotlin Vs. Java

Sr. No.	Kotlin	Java
1.	Kotlin doesn’t support static members.	Java allows declaring static members in the class.
2.	In Kotlin, variables of primitive data types are treated as objects.	In Java, variables of primitive data types are not objects.
3.	It easier to code and deploy Kotlin programs.	It is hard to deploy Java programs.
4.	It supports the concept of invariant arrays.	It does not support the concept of invariant arrays.
5.	It provides a smart cast feature.	It does not have a smart cast feature.
6.	It works with Object Oriented and Functional Programming approach.	It works with Object Oriented Programming approach.
7.	Kotlin does not require data type specification while declaring a variable.	It requires data type specification while declaring a variable.
8.	Itdoesn’t support wild-card type.	Java supports wild-card type.
9.	It allows one or more secondary constructors.	It doesn’t have any secondary constructors. But it supports multiple constructors.
10.	It doesn’t have any implicit conversions.	Java programming allows implicit conversions.
11.	It offers extension functions.	It doesn’t have any extension functions.
12.	It comes with Lambda expression.	It does not have any Lambda expressions.
13.	It offers String templates.	Java supports String templates but does not offer expressions like in Kotlin.
14.	It does not have null variables or objects.	There are null variables and objects in Java.
15.	It provides in built null safety.	Java has aNullPointer exception for handling null values.

Which is better Kotlin or Java?

This question is asked by many developers who are working on an android project. Java is the official language for Android development. Therefore, a developer might have their past projects of Android developed in Java. And if they want to add new functionalities it can be done using Kotlin. It means an android application can be built using both these languages.

For developers who are starting a project from beginning in Android, they should prefer Kotlin because of its compelling advantages like provided null safety, support of functional programming.

In this article, we have learned the basics about Kotlin and Java programming languages, their features. We have also discussed the difference between Kotlin and Java.