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 apparent selection, at present one other title is heard increasingly usually — Kotlin.
At Google I/O 2019, Kotlin was introduced because the “most popular language” for Android growth. Since then, many groups have shifted their initiatives towards it, attracted by concise code, built-in security options, and help for contemporary instruments. On the identical time, Java stays a strong basis: tens of millions of apps, enterprise techniques, and whole 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 develop into the brand new customary, 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 among the oldest and most influential programming languages, first launched in 1995. For the Android ecosystem, it turned the muse: the primary variations of functions and even the Android platform itself had been constructed with Java. Due to its stability and the huge variety of out there libraries, Java remained the first selection for cellular builders for a very long time.
When the primary Android smartphone was launched in 2008, the complete SDK and many of the instruments had been primarily based on Java. This ensured a low entry barrier: builders acquainted with the language from internet or enterprise techniques may 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 offer a safer, extra concise, and extra handy variant of Java, nevertheless it gives full interoperability with Java. In its preliminary growth years, the language gained fast consideration from Android builders because it has easy syntax, help for practical programming, and null security.
In response to Android Builders, 67% of Android builders report that Kotlin has improved their productiveness, permitting them to jot down much less boilerplate code and focus extra on constructing new options.
Google acknowledged Kotlin’s rising recognition locally and the truth that it addressed lots of Java’s shortcomings: extreme boilerplate, null-related errors, and challenges with asynchronous programming. In 2017, the corporate formally introduced help for Kotlin on Android, and in 2019, it made Kotlin the “most popular language” for cellular growth. This transfer solidified Kotlin’s standing as the first instrument for constructing Android apps and accelerated its widespread adoption.
Distinction Between Java and Kotlin in Android Growth
To higher perceive how Java and Kotlin differ, and the place one has an edge over the opposite, it’s value them via a number of key features. These embody syntax type and coding comfort, the capabilities of practical programming, their approaches to null dealing with and sort 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 jot down much less code with out shedding readability. Java, however, stays extra conventional and verbose, which might typically make it simpler for freshmen to study however will increase the quantity of boilerplate code.
kotlin
enjoyable important() {
println("Good day World")
}
Kotlin: Good day World
java
public class Fundamental {
public static void important(String[] args) {
System.out.println(“Good day, World!”);
}
}
Java: Good day World
For readability, it’s additionally useful to summarize the variations in syntax. The desk beneath exhibits how the selection of language impacts code conciseness, readability, and the general developer expertise.
| Criterion | Kotlin | Java |
| Conciseness | Excessive: information class, when, extension features | Decrease: extra boilerplate, usually requires Lombok/data |
| Readability | Compact constructs, much less “noise” | Verbose, visually overloaded |
| Null-safety | Constructed into varieties (String?, ?., ?:) | Annotations and guide checks |
| Information fashions | information class generates equals/hashCode/toString/copy | POJO requires guide technology or third-party libraries |
| Purposeful options | Lambdas, collections, extension features out of the field | Lambdas/Streams exist however require extra code for a similar duties |
| Code overview simplicity | Fewer strains → simpler to research adjustments | Longer diffs, plenty of boilerplate |
| Staff onboarding | Quicker for builders with fashionable coding expertise | Simpler for builders with a basic Java/enterprise background |
Comparability of Kotlin and Java Syntax
Purposeful Programming: Capabilities
One of many issues builders respect about Kotlin is how naturally it helps practical programming. Lambdas, extension features, 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 practical 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 fashionable, however they’re nonetheless extra verbose in comparison with Kotlin. And since many Android initiatives 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 jot down reactive, elegant code that’s straightforward to observe, whereas Java usually sticks to a extra step-by-step, crucial type that tends to develop heavier over time.
Null Security and Sort Security
Amongst builders, there’s an inside joke: some of the frequent error messages in Java is the NullPointerException. In easy phrases, this occurs when a program tries to work with lacking information the place it shouldn’t. For programmers it’s a well-recognized bug, however for customers it usually means app crashes and damaged performance. And for companies, that interprets into misplaced buyer belief and further prices for fixing points.
Kotlin addresses this drawback on the language degree. It forces builders to account for instances the place information may be lacking and gives built-in mechanisms that scale back the probability of such errors throughout growth. In consequence, apps constructed with Kotlin are typically extra secure and require fewer fixes down the highway.
Java, however, doesn’t have this type of built-in safety. Builders should depend on guide checks or intensive testing, which will increase the danger of bugs slipping via and raises upkeep prices.
For companies, the takeaway is obvious: Kotlin helps ship extra dependable functions that crash much less usually, preserve customers extra glad, and scale back long-term help bills.
Concurrency and Efficiency
For cellular apps, it’s essential that they run easily and don’t “freeze” whereas loading information, refreshing content material, or dealing with different background duties. This straight impacts consumer comfort, satisfaction, and their willingness to maintain utilizing the product.
Kotlin gives a contemporary instrument — coroutines, which permit background duties to be executed effectively with out overloading the system. In consequence, apps develop into extra responsive, run extra easily, and eat much less battery — all of that are extremely beneficial for finish customers.
In Java, the identical issues are solved with conventional multithreading or reactive libraries like RxJava. These options are dependable however normally require extra assets and make software program growth extra complicated and expensive.
From a enterprise perspective, the distinction is obvious: utilizing Kotlin’s coroutines helps construct sooner and extra energy-efficient functions, enhancing buyer satisfaction and decreasing 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 rapidly new options may be launched, how a lot ongoing help will value, and the way simply the app can evolve sooner or later.
Kotlin gives entry to fashionable instruments that straight impression product high quality. With Google’s backing and deep integration into new applied sciences like Jetpack Compose, it permits sooner app releases and simpler design updates. Constructed-in options similar to coroutines make functions extra responsive and battery-friendly, whereas decreasing boilerplate code helps decrease growth prices.
Java, whereas nonetheless utilized in some enterprise techniques because of its maturity and reliability, not units the usual for Android initiatives. As an alternative, Kotlin gives the flexibleness, fashionable options, and long-term maintainability that companies want to remain aggressive.
Kotlin vs Java: Professionals and Cons
Earlier we regarded intimately on the variations between Kotlin and Java — from syntax and information 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 pace, product reliability, and upkeep prices in several methods.
Professionals and Cons of Kotlin
Professionals:
- Concise syntax. Shorter, cleaner code means sooner function supply and decrease upkeep prices.
- Google help. 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 practical 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 staff has solely labored with Java earlier than.
- The legacy ecosystem remains to be dominated by Java, so integration might require further assets — particularly when combining present Java and Kotlin code in the identical venture.
Professionals and Cons of Java
Professionals:
- Stability and reliability. Hundreds of thousands of apps and libraries have been constructed with Java.
- Massive neighborhood. An enormous base of internet growth and cellular options, together with ready-made libraries, minimizes dangers.
- Excessive compatibility. Java helps enterprise techniques and integrations, making it a secure selection for long-term initiatives.
Cons:
- Verbose code will increase growth time and help prices.
- Trendy Android instruments are more and more designed with Kotlin in thoughts, regularly decreasing Java’s position in cellular growth.
Why does Kotlin Change Java? A Reasonable View
At this time, the query is not “if” Kotlin will change Java in Android growth — it already has. Google has made Kotlin the default selection, 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 initiatives inevitably face limitations and rising dangers of obsolescence.
For product house owners, the true problem is totally different: what to do with present Java codebases. Many enterprise and client functions nonetheless depend on intensive Java foundations that proceed to operate reliably. However preserving them “as is” is not an choice. Google Play enforces common updates to focus on newer SDK variations, and outdated Java dependencies can rapidly make an app non-compliant and even faraway from distribution.
Rewriting every thing from scratch is never life like because of prices and dangers. As an alternative, companies are turning to step-by-step migration methods:
- introducing Kotlin for brand new options and modules,
- regularly changing outdated libraries,
- modernizing essentially the most essential components of the app first.
This strategy permits corporations to remain aligned with Google’s ecosystem whereas avoiding downtime and spreading out investments over time.
The important thing takeaway: Kotlin has develop into the brand new customary for Android, whereas Java survives solely as legacy. For companies, the true choice shouldn’t be whether or not to undertake Kotlin, however how and when to modernize present Java functions to remain aggressive and compliant.
SCAND: Experience in Android Growth
For at present’s Android growth, Kotlin has develop into the default customary, whereas Java principally stays in legacy codebases. The important thing problem for companies shouldn’t be selecting between the 2, however discovering the best technique to modernize present Java functions and align them with Google’s necessities.
That’s the place experience issues. At SCAND, we assist corporations assess their present initiatives and plan environment friendly migration paths — from introducing Kotlin in new modules to full-scale modernization.
For over 25 years, our staff has been growing software program and has intensive expertise constructing Android functions in each Java and Kotlin. We help initiatives at each stage — from idea to long-term upkeep — serving to companies strike the best steadiness between stability and innovation.
We provide:
- Android utility growth of any complexity — from MVPs to large-scale enterprise options.
- Steerage in selecting the best know-how stack primarily based in your venture’s targets and finances.
- Migration and gradual transition from Java to Kotlin with no enterprise dangers and preserved system stability.
- Lengthy-term help and evolution of functions to maintain your product related and aggressive.
In case you are on the lookout for a dependable associate to modernize your Android utility, get in contact with us — our Kotlin and Java builders will enable you guarantee your venture stays compliant, up-to-date, and prepared for future development.
