Google Ushers in a New Era for Android Apps: Kotlin Ascends to First-Class Status

Ever since its inception, Java was revered as the prime choice of developers for Android applications, thanks to its modern, clear, and elegant scripting language. Not only does it allow developers to make great strides by writing less and doing more, but its flexibility also enables the adoption of new features simply by updating the version in Gradle. Yet tech enthusiasts from last year’s TechBooky article on Kotlin may recall the possibility of a new player in the arena. With Google’s recent announcement of elevating Kotlin to a first-class language for Android app development, advocates couldn’t be more delighted.

Developed by the JetBrains team, Kotlin somewhat challenges the reign of Java. Though relatively new, version 1.0.2 of Kotlin is already making waves in the Android app development community. Commonly referred to as ‘Swift’ on Android, Kotlin’s acceptance in the Android world can be attributed to its ability to seamlessly compile to JVM bytecode and can also be compiled to JavaScript. JetBrains platform makes its compatibility with Java even stronger, which allows Kotlin code to easily be converted to Java code with a simple plugin. Moreover, Kotlin’s integration benefits are extended to Android Gradle too. This means you wouldn’t have to start from scratch even if you have an existing Android application. As a developer, you just have to start writing in Kotlin for any new feature you want to implement, and everything will sync accordingly.

The Kotlin language originally surfaced as the brainchild of JetBrains, who then open-sourced it. Since then, you could develop Android applications using Kotlin. However, what turned heads was Google’s recent official backing for Kotlin. Already equipped with features that Java currently lacks, with the assurance by Google in a recent blog post, said, “Android Studio 3.0 ships with Kotlin out of the box.” This means that Android developers no longer need to waste time worrying about additional installations or compatibility issues. With the promise of constant support from JetBrains and Google for Android development in Kotlin, developers are guaranteed a smoother journey ahead.

Looking to further cement this beloved language, JetBrains will be partnering with Google. Together, they plan to establish a non-profit foundation to ensure the continuity and development of Kotlin.

News of Kotlin’s ascension was met with thunderous applause at the Google I/O developers’ conference. Evidently, this marks a new chapter in the realm of Android app development, looking promising and inviting for existing and new developers alike.

For an introduction to Kotlin, we recommend this easy-to-follow tutorial.