Have you ever wondered why Famous Apps Migrated from Java to Kotlin? The migration has become a noteworthy trend in the Android development landscape, sparking curiosity among developers, business owners, and tech enthusiasts alike.
Kotlin, the statistically-typed programming language, has increasingly become the first choice for many developers, leading to a paradigm shift in app development. In this blog, we will explore the reasons behind this transition, delving into the benefits and the leading Android apps that have made the switch from Java to Kotlin. Join us as we unravel the compelling story behind this tech evolution.
What is Kotlin?
Kotlin is a modern, statically typed programming language developed by JetBrains that runs on the Java Virtual Machine (JVM). Since its official release in 2016, Kotlin has gained significant popularity among developers, particularly those in the Android community.
Why Use Kotlin?
Let us look into the top 5 features that will make you choose Kotlin,
1. Kotlin’s Concise Syntax
Kotlin stands out for its concise and expressive syntax. It often takes fewer lines of code to perform the same tasks as in Java, leading to cleaner and more maintainable code. Features like lambda expressions, extension functions, and smart casts enhance code efficiency.
2. Interoperability and Safety
Kotlin’s ability to work seamlessly with existing Java code provides developers with the convenience of gradual migration without complete rewriting. Furthermore, Kotlin’s robust type system and built-in null safety minimize common programming errors, such as null pointer exceptions, enhancing code safety.
3. Official Support and Multiplatform Development
Google announced Kotlin as an official language for Android development in 2017. Moreover, Kotlin’s multiplatform capabilities allow targeting multiple platforms, including JVM, Android, JavaScript, Linux, Windows, and macOS. This cross-platform compatibility is facilitated by Kotlin Multiplatform, allowing developers to share the same codebase across different platforms.
4. Community and Corporate Backing
Kotlin enjoys strong support from both its community and corporations like JetBrains and Google. This backing ensures ongoing updates, access to comprehensive libraries, and a plethora of tools and frameworks.
For these reasons, Kotlin is mostly used for Android App Development. The graph below shows the use cases for Kotlin.
What are the Limitations of Kotlin?
Kotlin was introduced by JetBrains and was later endorsed by Google as an official language for Android development. Since Kotlin is interoperable with Java and is designed to address some of Java’s limitations, it can be interesting to look at the limitations of Java with respect to Kotlin:
1. Verbosity
Java is known for requiring more boilerplate code, which means that common programming tasks need more lines of code to accomplish. This can make the code more difficult to read and maintain. In contrast, Kotlin’s concise syntax allows for more straightforward expressions, which can increase readability and decrease the likelihood of errors.
2. Null Safety
In Java, handling null values improperly can lead to NullPointerExceptions, one of the most common runtime errors. Kotlin, on the other hand, has a built-in null safety feature in its type system that distinguishes nullable and non-nullable types. This encourages developers to handle null cases explicitly, reducing the risk of unexpected errors.
3. Functional Programming Support
Java’s support for functional programming is more limited compared to Kotlin. While Java introduced lambda expressions and Stream API in later versions, Kotlin provides a more extensive set of functional programming features such as higher-order functions and collection operators. These features allow developers to write more expressive, concise, and elegant functional code.
4. Coroutines
Asynchronous programming in Java can be complex and cumbersome, often involving callbacks and futures that can lead to “callback hell.” Kotlin introduces coroutines as a language feature, simplifying asynchronous programming by allowing developers to write sequential-style code that can be suspended and resumed. This makes the code more intuitive and maintainable.
5. Extension Functions
Java usually requires the creation of utility classes or modification of existing classes to add new functionality, leading to less modular and more tangled code. Kotlin’s extension functions enable developers to add new functions to existing classes without modifying them or using inheritance. This promotes cleaner code and enhances modularity, making the codebase more maintainable and scalable.
What are the Business Benefits of Choosing Kotlin?
Kotlin isn’t just popular among developers; businesses also find significant advantages in choosing Kotlin for their projects. Here’s an exploration of the business benefits of opting for Kotlin:
1. Increased Developer Productivity
Kotlin’s concise and expressive syntax allows developers to write code more efficiently. This leads to quicker development cycles and ultimately reduces the time-to-market for applications, translating to cost savings for businesses.
2. Enhanced Code Maintainability
Kotlin’s clear and clean code structure makes it easier for developers to read and modify existing code. This increased maintainability lowers long-term maintenance costs and facilitates quicker updates and feature additions.
3. Improved App Performance and Quality
Kotlin offers better type inference and null safety, minimizing runtime errors and crashes. This contributes to a higher-quality application, enhancing user experience and leading to better reviews and increased user retention.
4. Seamless Integration with Existing Java Code
For businesses with existing Java applications, transitioning to Kotlin is smooth due to its full interoperability with Java. This means that businesses can incrementally adopt Kotlin without a complete overhaul, maintaining existing investments in code and knowledge.
5. Multiplatform Capabilities
Kotlin’s multiplatform development feature enables businesses to target multiple platforms using the same codebase. This can streamline development efforts for cross-platform projects, saving both time and resources.
6. Strong Community and Corporate Support
With backing from tech giants like Google and JetBrains, as well as a vibrant developer community, Kotlin benefits from continuous updates, comprehensive documentation, and a plethora of libraries and tools. This extensive support network provides confidence in Kotlin as a sustainable and forward-thinking choice.
7. Potential Attraction for Top Talent
Many developers enjoy working with Kotlin due to its modern features and expressive syntax. By adopting Kotlin, businesses may find it easier to attract and retain top development talent, fostering a more skilled and innovative development team.
10 Android Apps That are Made Using Kotlin for Android
So, who is switching to Kotlin? Here’s a list of 10 Android Apps that were made using Kotlin.
1. Slack
Slack, the popular team collaboration and communication tool, adopted Kotlin to enhance its Android app. By leveraging Kotlin’s concise syntax and modern features, the Slack development team was able to write more maintainable code, improve app performance, and reduce potential errors. The decision to switch to Kotlin reflects Slack’s commitment to utilizing cutting-edge technology to provide a seamless user experience.
2. Netflix
Netflix, the global streaming giant, has also embraced Kotlin for its Android app development. Kotlin’s safety features, such as null safety and type inference, have helped Netflix create a more robust and reliable app. By utilizing Kotlin, Netflix aims to ensure that subscribers enjoy a smooth and responsive streaming experience, regardless of the device they use.
3. Evernote
Evernote, a widely-used note-taking and organization app, made the transition to Kotlin to benefit from its concise code and modern programming practices. Evernote’s adoption of Kotlin demonstrates a forward-thinking approach, prioritizing efficiency and user experience. The switch has led to cleaner code and more straightforward maintenance, ensuring that Evernote continues to be a leader in productivity tools.
4. Pinterest
Pinterest, the popular visual discovery and bookmarking platform, has been an early adopter of Kotlin. By using Kotlin, Pinterest’s development team achieved improved code readability and reduced development time. These efficiencies have enabled the team to quickly roll out new features and enhancements, solidifying Pinterest’s reputation as an innovative and user-friendly platform.
5. Trello
Trello, a well-known project management tool, leveraged Kotlin to optimize its Android app. The use of Kotlin enabled Trello to build a more efficient and reliable application. Kotlin’s expressive syntax and safety features have empowered Trello’s development team to focus on creating a feature-rich app that effectively supports team collaboration and project tracking.
6. Uber
Uber, the global ride-sharing service, has adopted Kotlin for parts of its Android app development. Kotlin’s concise syntax and modern language features have allowed Uber’s developers to write more efficient and maintainable code. By incorporating Kotlin, Uber aims to provide a smoother and more responsive app experience for riders and drivers alike.
7. Airbnb
Airbnb, the leading platform for vacation rentals, has incorporated Kotlin into its Android app development. By embracing Kotlin’s concise and expressive coding, Airbnb has streamlined its development process, resulting in quicker updates and new feature rollouts. Kotlin’s integration has helped Airbnb maintain its status as an innovative and user-centered platform.
8. Twitter
Twitter, the social media giant, has begun using Kotlin for its Android application. The decision to adopt Kotlin aligns with Twitter’s dedication to delivering a high-quality and consistent user experience. Kotlin’s modern programming practices and robust type system have enabled Twitter to build a more stable and efficient app, fostering user engagement.
9. Square
Square, a leading financial services company, is among the pioneers in adopting Kotlin for Android development. Square’s use of Kotlin has led to improved code quality and reduced development time, translating to quicker product iterations. By leveraging Kotlin’s strengths, Square continues to innovate in the fintech space, offering reliable and secure solutions.
10. Atlassian
Atlassian, the provider of collaboration tools like Jira and Confluence, has embraced Kotlin for its Android applications. Kotlin’s modern features and multiplatform capabilities have allowed Atlassian to create cohesive and efficient apps. By using Kotlin, Atlassian ensures that its suite of tools remains competitive, providing seamless collaboration solutions to teams worldwide.
Final Words
The migration from Java to Kotlin has become a defining trend in the Android app industry, shaping the future of mobile development. Here, we’ve unveiled the numerous advantages Kotlin offers, such as concise code, safety features, and multiplatform capabilities.
For businesses, developers, and users alike, Kotlin’s emergence signifies a shift towards more efficient, innovative, and user-centered applications. As Kotlin continues to evolve and gain traction, its influence on the industry is poised to deepen, cementing its status as a preferred choice for Android app development.
