Kotlin is statically typed, general-purpose programming language developed by JetBrains. It has become the primary language for Android application development, and also used in web, server-side, and multi-platform projects. Kotlin supports compilation to the Java Virtual Machine (JVM), JavaScript (JS), and native binaries via Kotlin/Native, enabling interoperability with Java, JavaScript, and native codebases.
Kotlin Programmming Style
Kotlin supports the following programming styles:
- Object-Oriented Programming: Enables encapsulation, inheritance, and polymorphism for modular and reusable code.
- Functional Programming (FP): Provides higher-order functions, lambda expressions, and immutability features.
- Imperative Programming: Supports step-by-step control of program execution for procedural workflows.
Kotlin Development Environment
- IDE:The most popular IDE for Kotlin projects is IntelliJ IDEA, created by JetBrains, with Kotlin support integrated. It can be downloaded from Intelliji Downloads. For Android development, Android Studio (based on IntelliJ IDEA) is widely used. Download Android Studio from Android Studio Downloads
- Command Prompt: Kotlin can be compiled and executed via the command line using the Kotlin compiler. Follow the official Kotin Command Line Compiler.
- Online: For quick experimentation, the Kotin Playground provides an online platform to write, execute, and share Kotlin code snippets without requiring local installation
Kotlin Applications
Kotlin offers a full-stack solution for various development scenarios:
- Android Development: Kotlin is the preferred language for Android development due to its many features, and full support in Android Studio.
- Server-side applications: Kotlin is effective for building server-side applications with frameworks like Ktor, and it integration with existing Java-based frameworks such as Spring, Quarkus, and Micronaut.
- Web Applications: Kotlin.js enables Kotlin to be used on the front end, allowing the development of web applications alongside or as an alternative to JavaScript.
- Multi-Platform Development: Kotlin Multiplatform, allows to write shared code for various platforms, including Android, iOS and desktop.
Useful Links
- JetBrains Kotlin Tutorial - Official guides and tutorials.
- Kotlin for Android by Google - Google's resources for Android development with Kotlin.
- Kotlin on GitHub by JetBrains - Source code and projects.
- Kotlin Discussions Forum - Community driven and maintained by JetBrain.
- Atomic Kotlin by Bruce Eckel and Svetlana Isakova - A detailed introduction to Kotlin.