Without programming languages, the world of technology and innovation would cease to exist. Kotlin, like other programming languages, is the building block of curation of the software. The article is curated after significant research of the programming language, which provides a holistic view of Kotlin.
Readers will cover the cutting-edge features that distinguish Kotlin from Java, safety features, coroutines, the use of Kotlin in curating Android applications, and lastly, how beginners can run the first-ever Kotlin program.
Kotlin offers a comprehensive take on writing programming languages by reducing the overall spent time and maintaining a similar code for a unique platform. Given that the programming language is relatively new, the programming language is perfect for multiplatform applications. As more and more developers are getting into creating applications for Android rather than relying on Java.
Let’s explore the concise, safe programming language, which is still fun to write and read. In the blog, What is Kotlin cover the real essence of Kotlin and its avenue to aiding organizations in the foreseeable future?
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Let’s dive deeper to know Kotlin, inside and out!
Kotlin, a streamlined Java language
If you take a closer look at the figure near the function declaration on the top of the panes. The return type of Java will precede the whole prototype. Things are a little different in Kotlin as it does succeed in terms of the prototype, which is further demarcated in Pascal. Kotlin did relax the whole of Java’s requirement, which functions like class members. Functions in Kotlin can be found in the top-most file-level and locally in distinctive parts. Extension functions also provide a C# kind of ability that extends the class with a completely new functionality irrespective of inheriting a class or design pattern.
Kotlin also became famous for implementing builders; moreover, Kotlin builders could comprise of being type-checked. The languages offer support for authorizing properties which further implements observable, lazy, mapped, vetoable properties.
Asynchronous machines of other programming languages could witness implementation as libraries use the coroutines of Kotlin. Some of these machines are async/await from ECMAScript and C#, channels, go, and generators/yield from Python and C#.
Kotlin has become increasingly popular due to its unique features. Let’s get into the numerous features that Kotlin has to offer:
In functional programming, the top-level functions are kept in the beginning. Kotlin supports anonymous functions, higher-order functions, closures, inline functions, generics, and tail recursion. In simple terms, Kotlin comprises all features alongside the advantages which constitute functional language. Check out the valuable idioms of Kotlin below:
If a developer wants to add shorter expressions, then he can use the following command:
v
al positives = list.filter { x -> x > 0 }
Remember, developers can use this only when there is a single-most parameter in terms of the lambda function, like this:
Val positives = list.filter { it > 0 }
Traversing maps or lists of pairs would require for
((k, v) in map) { println(“$k -> $v”) }
Here developers can call K and V into anything.
Use of ranges in Kotlin
The notable example of the use of ranges and “for” keyword is:
for (i in 1..100) { ... } // closed range: includes 100
for (i in 1 until 100) { ... } // half-open range: does not include 100
for (x in 2..10 step 2) { ... }
for (x in 10 downTo 1) { ... }
if (x in 1..10) { ... }
String type regular variable can hold the null in this manner:
var a: String = "abc"
a = null // compilation error
If nulls are allowed to hold query results in SQL, then you can easily declare a question mark depicting a null, e.g., “String?”
var b: String? ="abc"
b = null // ok
As far as the protections are concerned, developers can utilize non-nullable immunity. However, you’ll also have to test nulls right before using it.
It is essential to avoid wordy grammar during null testing. The programming language comes with a feature called safe call, which functions in this manner: ‘b'?.length’ that returns to ‘b.length’ only if ‘b’ isn’t null. The expression is called ‘Int?.’
b?.length is the shortcut of
“if (b != null) b.length else null”,
The syntax here chains up appropriately by eliminating a massive amount of prolix logic, especially at times when an object attains population from a series of database queries.
There is a specific action for non-null values that can be performed by using a safe call operator, i.e., ‘?'. alongside ‘let:’. Check out the following code:
val listWithNulls: List<String?> = listOf("A", null)
for (item in listWithNulls) {
item?.let { println(it) } // prints A and ignores null }
Developers often opt for a remarkable value return directly from nullable expressions. The action allows saving the value into non-nullable segments. Also, there is an exceptional syntax called Elvis operator, which is written as
val l = b?.length ?: -1
Furthermore, the Elvis operator is equivalent to
Val l: Int = if (b != null) b.length else -1.
This suggests that Kotlin omits the checked exceptions of Java which are found in the throwable condition. JDK signature is one such example of checked exceptions of Java.
Appendable append(CharSequence csq) throws IOException;
It requires developers to catch the IOException each time they call up to append method, in this manner:
try {
log.append(message)
}
catch (IOException e) {
// Do something with the exception
}
Initially, the Java designers thought this to be a great idea. The idea was a decisive win for the toy programs as long as programmers implement any sensibility alongside the catch clause. In massive Java programs, developers often see codes that are a compulsory catch clause featuring only a single comment, i.e., //todo: handle this. Sadly, the command didn’t seem to help anyone, and the exceptions did become a complete loss for more extensive programs.
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These are the lightweight threads in Kotlin. They can be started using this coroutine builder: ‘launch’ in the context of CoroutineScope. Additionally, runBlocking{} is regarded as a very useful coroutine that can be put into the code block.
import kotlinx. coroutines.*
fun main() = runBlocking { // this: CoroutineScope
launch { // launch a new coroutine in the scope of runBlocking
delay(1000L) // non-blocking delay for 1 second
println("World!")
}
println("Hello,")
}
The code helps in producing this output:
Hello,
World! (Note that there will be a one-second delay between both lines)
[ Related Article: Comparision between Kotlin and Java ]
Here are the steps if you want to create an all-new Kotlin project using IntelliJ:
Step 1:
Choose ‘Create New Project’, which you notice on the welcome screen. You can also follow this order: File → New → Project. Now choose Kotlin, located on the left-hand side of the menu.
Step 2:
Specifically, put forward the name of the project as well as the location. Now, you’ll have to select the Java version present in the Project SDK. The moment all details are entered. Choose to click on Finish, and now the project will be created. The project will look something like this:
Step 3:
Now, you’ll be required to create a new Kotlin file, so make a right-click on the src folder → New → Kotlin File/Class. A new prompt will pop up where developers will have to provide a name specifically for a file.
Step 4:
Follow the step of writing a simple Kotlin program like the one in the figure below.
Writing the program involves I and III line functions:
1
2
3
4
fun main (args: Array <String>)
{
println("Welcome to Kotlin Language")
}
In the first line, Functions serve as the building blocks of the Kotlin program. Functions in Kotlin begin with this keyword- ‘fun’. It follows a name alongside a list of several zeros and parameters separated by common. Developers can also find that the image and the command include the return type, body, taking one argument, and turning it into an array of things.
The third line displays the output message on the screen. Developers can also use println() if they wish to print out the standard code.
Since its inception, Kotlin did gain a lot of traction from developers from across the world. As the programming language is expressive, concise, and safe, it is a worthy competitor of JAVA and its replacement. As per Google, Kotlin has become the official Android development programming language. Kotlin is in for the long haul. If a developer is already aware of the avenues that Kotlin can fathom, then learning the programming language won’t just boost your career. Instead, it will change your entire perspective on Android app development while increasing productivity.
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As a content writer and storyteller, Raunaak Mitra regards himself to be a prodigy in writing. He firmly believes that language is borderless, and anyone can write as long as they have a strong narrative capability and the ability to emote feelings into words. Authors like F. Scott Fitzgerald and R. K. Narayan have influenced him to keep the writing as simple as possible for anyone to understand. Other than being well-versed about technological trends like AI, Machine Learning, AR, VR, Gaming, Microprocessors, Cloud Computing, Industry 4.0, literally any technological advancement (old or new), he also shares a knack to curate fiction on sci-fi, satire, and thriller genres.