General

Pros and Cons of Kotlin for Android App Development

Team Cumulations

02 Mar 2020

Kotlin for Android App Development

Kotlin is an advanced level programming language used for Android app development. Laced with brilliant features as compared to Java, it adds to the proficiency and efficiency of app developers. Besides this, it can gel well with Java and function effectively in terms of creating high quality applications. 

Overview of Kotlin:

Identified as statistically noted open-source language used for programming, Kotlin is powered to generate codes that work on Java Virtual Machine. Well, the name given to this language hails from Kotlin Island falling close to St. Petersburg in Russia. Though, the syntax of the language does not gel well with Java; still, it has the ability to inter-operate with the help of Java code. As a technologically advanced programming support, Kotlin for Android App Development is considered highly effective as it does not require extensive individual coding. At times, it necessitates a repetitive form of specifications. It makes use of aggressive interference for determining expressions and values on not being clearly listed. This gives Kotlin an edge over Java without doubt.

As soon as it came to limelight in 2011, Kotlin for Android App Development gained immediate attention from the technocrats. It was rated as the first class android development language, which was developed to make the app development process easier than before. With a framework of codes, such a process becomes monotonous. But, with Kotlin in hand, application development is much faster because of the repetitive codes used. Technology is advancing at a rapid speed and constant developments are swaying the world of digitization. Today, everyone is aware of the importance of technology in every face of life. And Kotlin is quite a helpful platform for developing easily manageable applications. 

Pros of Kotlin for Android App Development:

  1. Interlinked with Java Code:

As a complete interlinked programming language with Java code base, Kotlin can be easily switched from it. The need, here, is of a well-experienced and trained app developer. In fact, the reason behind such a possibility is Kotlin’s efficient consistency with Java as well as its frameworks and tools. A good thing about Kotlin is that the existing app developed on Java can be updated to Kotlin by writing new features without any problem. This is the reason that Kotlin has been a preferred choice of app developers.

  1. Multi-Level Development:

Along with the ability to interlink with JavaScript, the founders of the Kotlin have opened gates for Gradle Support allowing Gradle files to be included in Kotlin. Besides this, active development of Kotlin-Native is set to permit iOS applications. Now, this is called multi-level development. Moreover, it will improve the overall performance of developers. 

  1. Superior Android Studio Support:

It is well-known that the Android Studio is powered to extend support to Kotlin. At the time of Kotlin’s installation, Android Studio makes necessary configurations for easier functionality. And of course, the lesser use of coding in Kotlin makes it a worthy option to develop applications. 

  1. More Reliable:

As compared to other programming languages accessible in the market like Flutter, Kotlin stands as much more efficient app development language. Considering its reliability factor, Kotlin had undergone various Beta and Alpha tests before it came in the market for functional process in 2011. 

  1. Detects Bugs Easily:

As Kotlin offers quite a compact and clear codebase for app development, it makes the coding process to be more consistent. Even, the bugs are detected immediately and the developers can fix them without much problem. This makes it easier for the developers to create methodically functional applications.

  1. Combining Procedural and Functional Programming:

With a variety of programming paradigms available in the market, selecting one is a tough task. It is because every paradigm has specified strengths and weaknesses. On the other hand, they have a varied procedural approach. In this regard, Kotlin combines varied procedural and functional features for effective development.  

Related read: Will Swift and Kotlin Change the Face of Mobile Development

  1. Easier Way to Develop Android Apps:

Kotlin is a simplified but an effective language that stands way ahead of Java. As Java tends to suffer from some stiff issues, the other programming language named Scala is heavier with slower compilation time. The library needed to write Android applications with Kotlin is very small, which does not boost the method count any further.

Cons of Kotlin for Android App Development:

  1. Takes Time to Grab Knowledge:

Though Java and Kotlin have a similar code base or functional platform; still, there is a need for the company to train the developers on Kotlin. It is because the shifting of platforms might not be easier without proper knowledge of Kotlin. This may require a company to handle expenses in training the team. 

  1. Fluctuations in Compilation Speed:

In various cases of conducting incredible developments, Kotlin tends to work faster than Java. So, Java tends to stand as a clear winner in this case for the purpose of developing clear applications. The faster speed of Kotlin may not give a cleanly functional application. 

  1. Lesser Kotlin Experts in the Market:

As soon as the Kotlin was announced as first-class programming language for application development, the dearth of experts was seen. Still, there are more Java experts in the market than Kotlin. So, they need to be trained well for adopting Kotlin as the primary language for programming applications. 

  1. Limited Amount of Resources:

Though, the amount of resources to learn and master Kotlin is quite restricted in the market; still, many companies have managed to learn with limited resources only. Besides this, taking hold of the Kotlin with limited resources might consume a bit of time to master it.

Google has protracted tremendous amounts of support to the programming language Kotlin. Certainly speaking, it is intended to give developers the much needed features. As stated in pros and cons of Kotlin for Android Development, it is a smartly typed programming language that tends to function on the Java virtual machine. Being the most effective open-source programming language, it has the power to combine object-oriented and functional programming features. Now, this is something that makes Kotlin stand above Java without doubt. It is a smart coding system that works towards making app development much easier and takes less time. Of course, this gives the opportunity to the developers to create more apps in a shorter time period. 

It should be noted that Kotlin is pertinent in existing time because of two reasons. This platform was developed essentially as a solution to the problems suffered by Android developers over a period of time. Excessive coding, complex blend of programming language and many such related issues hindered the way of developers to create easily loadable apps. Consequently, it is intended to resolve most of the major issues that rose in Java, offering interoperability, security, precision, and tooling support to the developers without doubt. What makes Kotlin a hot favorite is its ability to operate with existing Android languages too. Indeed, Kotlin grasps ideas from the community, which makes it development justified because it gives answers to things that Java does not do. This makes it an ideal choice of programming language in app development. And such betterments raise the hope of Kotlin to have a brighter future ahead. 

Conclusion:

The Pros and Cons of Kotlin for Android app development state that it has every capability that addresses issues in Java well. Being interoperable, it can work faster and create smarter apps in much less time. Of course, it is powered with much advanced features that are not available in Java.