Why Kotlin Changed Java because the Predominant Language for Android Growth

Android growth has modified extra over the previous few years than it might sound at first look. If Java as soon as felt like the plain alternative, at this time one other title is heard increasingly more typically — Kotlin.

At Google I/O 2019, Kotlin was introduced because the “most well-liked language” for Android growth. Since then, many groups have shifted their tasks towards it, attracted by concise code, built-in security options, and assist for contemporary instruments. On the similar time, Java stays a stable basis: tens of millions of apps, enterprise methods, and full ecosystems nonetheless depend on it.

However the actuality is that Kotlin has already changed Java as the first language for Android. For companies, this shift raises a special set of questions: why did Kotlin change into the brand new commonplace, and what do you have to do in case your product nonetheless depends on a big Java codebase that not meets Google Play’s necessities? That’s precisely what we’ll discover on this article.

What’s Java

Java is without doubt one of the oldest and most influential programming languages, first launched in 1995. For the Android ecosystem, it grew to become the muse: the primary variations of purposes and even the Android platform itself had been constructed with Java. Due to its stability and the huge variety of obtainable libraries, Java remained the first alternative for cellular builders for a very long time.

When the primary Android smartphone was launched in 2008, your entire SDK and a lot of the instruments had been based mostly on Java. This ensured a low entry barrier: builders conversant in the language from net or enterprise methods might simply transition to cellular app growth.

What’s Kotlin

Kotlin is a contemporary programming language created by JetBrains and formally launched in 2011. Its goal was to supply a safer, extra concise, and extra handy variant of Java, nevertheless it supplies full interoperability with Java. In its preliminary growth years, the language gained fast consideration from Android builders because it has easy syntax, assist for purposeful programming, and null security.

In accordance with Android Builders, 67% of Android builders report that Kotlin has improved their productiveness, permitting them to put in writing much less boilerplate code and focus extra on constructing new options.

Google acknowledged Kotlin’s rising recognition in the neighborhood and the truth that it addressed a lot of Java’s shortcomings: extreme boilerplate, null-related errors, and challenges with asynchronous programming. In 2017, the corporate formally introduced assist for Kotlin on Android, and in 2019, it made Kotlin the “most well-liked language” for cellular growth. This transfer solidified Kotlin’s standing as the first device for constructing Android apps and accelerated its widespread adoption.

Distinction Between Java and Kotlin in Android Growth

To raised perceive how Java and Kotlin differ, and the place one has an edge over the opposite, it’s price taking a look at them by a number of key facets. These embody syntax fashion and coding comfort, the capabilities of purposeful programming, their approaches to null dealing with and kind security, in addition to how every language manages concurrency, efficiency, and the richness of its ecosystem of instruments.

Syntax: Model and Code Readability

One of many first variations builders discover when switching from Java to Kotlin is the syntax. Kotlin was designed to be extra concise and expressive, permitting builders to put in writing much less code with out dropping readability. Java, however, stays extra conventional and verbose, which might generally make it simpler for inexperienced persons to study however will increase the quantity of boilerplate code.

kotlin
enjoyable important() {
    println("Whats up World")
}

Kotlin: Whats up World

java
public class Predominant {
    public static void important(String[] args) {
        System.out.println(“Whats up, World!”); 
    }
}

Java: Whats up World

For readability, it’s additionally useful to summarize the variations in syntax. The desk under exhibits how the selection of language impacts code conciseness, readability, and the general developer expertise.

Comparability of Kotlin and Java Syntax

Useful Programming: Capabilities

One of many issues builders admire about Kotlin is how naturally it helps purposeful programming. Lambdas, extension capabilities, and useful assortment operations like map, filter, or scale back are constructed proper into the language. This makes the code really feel cleaner and extra expressive — you spend much less time writing boilerplate and extra time specializing in the precise logic of the app.

Java additionally helps purposeful programming, nevertheless it got here a lot later — beginning with Java 8 and the introduction of the Stream API. Streams and lambdas made Java code look extra trendy, however they’re nonetheless extra verbose in comparison with Kotlin. And since many Android tasks are tied to older Java variations, not everybody may even use these options in full.

For Android apps, the distinction is straightforward to really feel: Kotlin makes it easier to put in writing reactive, elegant code that’s simple to observe, whereas Java typically sticks to a extra step-by-step, crucial fashion that tends to develop heavier over time.

Null Security and Sort Security

Amongst builders, there’s an inside joke: probably the most widespread error messages in Java is the NullPointerException. In easy phrases, this occurs when a program tries to work with lacking knowledge the place it shouldn’t. For programmers it’s a well-recognized bug, however for customers it typically means app crashes and damaged performance. And for companies, that interprets into misplaced buyer belief and further prices for fixing points.

Kotlin addresses this downside on the language stage. It forces builders to account for circumstances the place knowledge is likely to be lacking and supplies built-in mechanisms that scale back the probability of such errors throughout growth. In consequence, apps constructed with Kotlin are typically extra steady and require fewer fixes down the highway.

Java, however, doesn’t have this sort of built-in safety. Builders should depend on handbook checks or in depth testing, which will increase the danger of bugs slipping by and raises upkeep prices.

For companies, the takeaway is evident: Kotlin helps ship extra dependable purposes that crash much less typically, hold customers extra glad, and scale back long-term assist bills.

Concurrency and Efficiency

For cellular apps, it’s vital that they run easily and don’t “freeze” whereas loading knowledge, refreshing content material, or dealing with different background duties. This instantly impacts person comfort, satisfaction, and their willingness to maintain utilizing the product.

Kotlin affords a contemporary device — coroutines, which permit background duties to be executed effectively with out overloading the system. In consequence, apps change into extra responsive, run extra easily, and eat much less battery — all of that are extremely useful for finish customers.

In Java, the identical issues are solved with conventional multithreading or reactive libraries like RxJava. These options are dependable however often require extra sources and make software program growth extra advanced and expensive.

From a enterprise perspective, the distinction is evident: utilizing Kotlin’s coroutines helps construct quicker and extra energy-efficient purposes, enhancing buyer satisfaction and lowering the danger of customers abandoning the product.

Ecosystem and Instruments

For companies, it’s not solely about which language builders use, but additionally what instruments include it. The ecosystem determines how shortly new options will be launched, how a lot ongoing assist will value, and the way simply the app can evolve sooner or later.

Kotlin supplies entry to trendy instruments that instantly influence product high quality. With Google’s backing and deep integration into new applied sciences like Jetpack Compose, it allows quicker app releases and simpler design updates. Constructed-in options equivalent to coroutines make purposes extra responsive and battery-friendly, whereas lowering boilerplate code helps decrease growth prices.

Java, whereas nonetheless utilized in some enterprise methods as a consequence of its maturity and reliability, not units the usual for Android tasks. As a substitute, Kotlin affords the pliability, trendy options, and long-term maintainability that companies want to remain aggressive.

Kotlin vs Java: Professionals and Cons

Earlier we seemed intimately on the variations between Kotlin and Java — from syntax and knowledge dealing with to efficiency and ecosystem. Now it’s time to sum up: every language has its personal strengths and weaknesses that have an effect on growth velocity, product reliability, and upkeep prices in several methods.

Professionals and Cons of Kotlin

Professionals:

• Concise syntax. Shorter, cleaner code means quicker characteristic supply and decrease upkeep prices.
• Google assist. New instruments and applied sciences are primarily optimized for Kotlin.
• Trendy capabilities. Coroutines, Jetpack Compose, and null security enhance app stability and high quality. As well as, Kotlin permits builders to leverage superior purposeful programming options with much less effort.
• Compiler effectivity. The Kotlin compiler helps catch points early, stopping crashes in manufacturing.

Cons:

• Requires further coaching if the group has solely labored with Java earlier than.
• The legacy ecosystem remains to be dominated by Java, so integration could require additional sources — particularly when combining present Java and Kotlin code in the identical mission.

Professionals and Cons of Java

Professionals:

• Stability and reliability. Tens of millions of apps and libraries have been constructed with Java.
• Giant neighborhood. An enormous base of net growth and cellular options, together with ready-made libraries, minimizes dangers.
• Excessive compatibility. Java helps enterprise methods and integrations, making it a secure alternative for long-term tasks.

Cons:

• Verbose code will increase growth time and assist prices.
• Trendy Android instruments are more and more designed with Kotlin in thoughts, step by step lowering Java’s function in cellular growth.

Why does Kotlin Change Java? A Practical View

Right this moment, the query is not “if” Kotlin will change Java in Android growth — it already has. Google has made Kotlin the default alternative, with all new SDKs, libraries, and frameworks optimized for it first. Jetpack Compose, Android Studio tooling, and Play Retailer necessities are all designed round Kotlin, which suggests Java-based tasks inevitably face limitations and rising dangers of obsolescence.

For product homeowners, the actual problem is totally different: what to do with present Java codebases. Many enterprise and client purposes nonetheless depend on in depth Java foundations that proceed to perform reliably. However preserving them “as is” is not an possibility. Google Play enforces common updates to focus on newer SDK variations, and outdated Java dependencies can shortly make an app non-compliant and even faraway from distribution.

Rewriting all the things from scratch isn’t sensible as a consequence of prices and dangers. As a substitute, companies are turning to step-by-step migration methods:

• introducing Kotlin for brand spanking new options and modules,
• step by step changing outdated libraries,
• modernizing probably the most vital components of the app first.

This method permits corporations to remain aligned with Google’s ecosystem whereas avoiding downtime and spreading out investments over time.

The important thing takeaway: Kotlin has change into the brand new commonplace for Android, whereas Java survives solely as legacy. For companies, the actual determination isn’t whether or not to undertake Kotlin, however how and when to modernize present Java purposes to remain aggressive and compliant.

SCAND: Experience in Android Growth

For at this time’s Android growth, Kotlin has change into the default commonplace, whereas Java principally stays in legacy codebases. The important thing problem for companies isn’t selecting between the 2, however discovering the proper technique to modernize present Java purposes and align them with Google’s necessities.

That’s the place experience issues. At SCAND, we assist corporations assess their present tasks and plan environment friendly migration paths — from introducing Kotlin in new modules to full-scale modernization.

For over 25 years, our group has been creating software program and has in depth expertise constructing Android purposes in each Java and Kotlin. We assist tasks at each stage — from idea to long-term upkeep — serving to companies strike the proper steadiness between stability and innovation.

We provide:

• Android utility growth of any complexity — from MVPs to large-scale enterprise options.
• Steerage in choosing the proper know-how stack based mostly in your mission’s objectives and finances.
• Migration and gradual transition from Java to Kotlin with no enterprise dangers and preserved system stability.
• Lengthy-term assist and evolution of purposes to maintain your product related and aggressive.

If you’re searching for a dependable companion to modernize your Android utility, get in contact with us — our Kotlin and Java builders will allow you to guarantee your mission stays compliant, up-to-date, and prepared for future development.