Developers have been engaged in a heated debate about Java vs. Kotlin – which is the better programming language? Is one better than the other for certain reasons?
Table of Contents
Well, the answer is not that simple. Both Java and Kotlin are object-oriented programming languages, and each has a unique functional purpose. Kotlin is mainly used for Android app development, while Java is widely employed in enterprise application development.
In this article, we will break down their key differences to help you decide which might be the better fit for your next project.
Java is a high-level, object-oriented programming language known for its platform independence and “Write Once, Run Anywhere” capability. It was developed by James Gosling and his team at Sun Microsystems (now owned by Oracle) in the mid-1990s.
Java is highly versatile and used for creating desktop software, mobile apps, web applications, enterprise systems, and more. Its extensive ecosystem, libraries, and strong community support have made it one of the most popular programming languages worldwide.
Furthermore, java has a significant presence in the enterprise sector. According to Oracle, 97% of enterprise desktops run Java, and 89% of desktops in the U.S. use the language.
Like Java, Kotlin is an open-source programming language that allows developers to run the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) and is compatible across multiple platforms. It combines object-oriented and general-purpose programming and offers a self-sufficient and distinctive development environment. Developed by IDE JetBrains, Kotlin was created to address key limitations in Java. It has been around since 2011 but was officially released in 2016.
Unlike Java, Kotlin’s open-source nature provides significant advantages in both security and development. Moreover, integrating Java with Kotlin is seamless, and only requires just a single plugin to switch between the two languages. Kotlin is also statically typed, and in a recent announcement at Google I/O, it was officially recognized as a supported language for Android application development.
To put it simply, there is no clear winner in the Java vs. Kotlin debate. Each language has benefits as well as drawbacks that vary according to the situation and use case. Hence, the only way to truly comprehend their differences is to compare them across a wide range of variables, including null safety, features, performance, community support, and so on.
One of the most notable differences between Kotlin and Java is how they manage null safety. In Java, null variables or objects are inherent to the language, often leading to NullPointerExceptions, which require developers to constantly check and handle these exceptions.
Kotlin, on the other hand, introduces non-nullability – a feature that prevents assigning null values to variables unless they are explicitly declared as nullable. This, along with Kotlin’s robust exception handling, significantly minimizes the risk of NullPointerExceptions and makes Kotlin a safer and more reliable option for developers.
Although Java supports functional programming to some degree, it is more limited compared to Kotlin. Java 8 introduced features like lambda expressions and functional interfaces, but its functional programming capabilities remain somewhat restricted.
In contrast, Kotlin offers native support for functional programming constructs such as lambdas, higher-order functions, and extension functions. It allows for a more concise and expressive coding style and helps developers write cleaner, more readable code.
Another major distinction between Kotlin and Java is Kotlin’s need for significantly less code. Its concise nature minimizes the chances of errors and simplifies the development process.
Kotlin’s brevity makes it easier to develop huge projects because it often requires fewer lines of code than Java to write the same function. Furthermore, it understands how to make it short and to the point without sacrificing syntax readability.
In Java, developers need to manually define fields (or variables) to store data, along with the constructor, getter and setter functions and additional methods like hashCode(), equals(), and toString(). These classes typically exist solely to store data, offering little to no additional functionality.
Kotlin simplifies this process with the “data” keyword in the class definition. This automatically prompts the compiler to generate the constructor and getter/setter functions for the fields, streamlining the creation of data-holding classes.
Java lacks support for smart casts, meaning explicit type casting is necessary in certain situations. Type casting involves converting a variable from one data type to another.
Kotlin offers smart casts and allows automatic type conversions based on specific conditions. Support for smart casts streamlines code and reduces the need for repetitive type checks, making development more efficient.
In Android, components within the same application typically run in a single process and thread, known as the main thread, which is responsible for handling the UI. Operations such as network I/O and CPU-intensive tasks are considered lengthy, and when initiated, they block the calling thread until the operation finishes.
To prevent issues on the main thread, Java allows the creation of multiple background threads for handling these tasks. However, managing multiple threads can be complex and may introduce more errors into the code.
Kotlin also supports creating multiple threads but offers a simpler, more efficient alternative: coroutines.
So, how do coroutines work? Coroutines are stackless and let developers write code that can be suspended and resumed later. This allows for non-blocking, asynchronous code that appears to run synchronously. Instead of managing numerous threads, coroutines limit thread usage, offering a clearer and more concise solution compared to Java’s approach.
The size and engagement of a developer community play a crucial role in the widespread adoption and support of a programming language.
Java, with its long-established and vast community backed by extensive documentation and resources, holds a significant advantage over Kotlin in this regard.
However, Kotlin, despite being newer, is quickly gaining traction. Its community is expanding rapidly and is driven by strong backing from JetBrains and Google.
The speed performance of Kotlin and Java is generally comparable since they both run on the Java Virtual Machine (JVM).
While Kotlin’s more concise syntax and improved language features can lead to more efficient code, raw execution speed is influenced by factors like algorithm efficiency and code optimization techniques.
Performance is crucial for any application. Java-based applications are known for their high performance, having undergone years of refinement and optimization.
Since Kotlin compiles to Java bytecode and runs on the Java Virtual Machine (JVM), its performance is largely on par with Java. In terms of performance alone, there’s little difference between the two, making it a tie.
To summarize everything, both Java and Kotlin are excellent programming languages with distinct features and strengths. Java has endured the test of time and still remains a reliable choice for traditional enterprise applications.
On the other hand, Kotlin’s modern features, such as null safety, extension functions, and coroutines, make it a good choice for Android app development and projects that require increased productivity and code readability.
When choosing between Java vs. Kotlin, take into account your project’s specific requirements, team familiarity, and long-term objectives. Both languages are remarkably compatible, allowing you to have the best of both worlds.
Create a free profile and find your next great opportunity.
Sign up and find a perfect match for your team.
Xperti vets skilled professionals with its unique talent-matching process.
Connect and engage with technology enthusiasts.
© Xperti.io All Rights Reserved
Privacy
Terms of use