Android App Development Now Largely Preferred Using Kotlin by Google
Googling Things Up: Why Kotlin Rules the Android App Dev Scene Now
Listen up, fellow app devs! Google's latest announcement has Jah-va take a backseat as the favored language for Android App Development gets a fresh contender: Kotlin. C'mon, let's dive in and figure out what's causing this unexpected shift.
So, what's the sitch? Well, according to Google's blog post, things are becoming more Kotlin-centric in the Android dev world. Google's making lots of shiny new Jetpack APIs and features available first for Kotlin developers, and ICYMI, starting a new project means you should write it in Kotlin. Why, you ask? 'Cause Kotlin means less grunt work – less typing, testing, and maintenance for you!
Remember when Google first pledged support for Kotlin in Android Studio back in 2017? Yep, that was a bombshell for Java stalwarts. But fast forward to today, and Kotlin's popularity has seen a meteoric rise, landing itself the 4th spot for most loved programming languages for devs and nabbing support from around 50% of professional Android developers. Don't forget that Kotlin's developer salary ain't too shabby either.
Chet Haase, Android's chief advocate, says, "With that, it makes sense for Google to ramp up its Kotlin support. We're announcing a major leap forward: we're going Kotlin-first."
Haase understands that not everyone's on the Kotlin train yet, but they're urging devs to jump on board because, hey, it's 2021, and times, they are a-changin'.
But Java developers needn't fret – Google won't be abandoning Java or C++ any time soon. With Java 13 round the corner, Java devs can breathe easy as Google'll keep its support for both firing on all cylinders.
So, why's Kotlin the hot new topic? Here's the dish:
- Java Interoperability: Kotlin plays nicely with Java, which means smoother transitions for devs ditching Java without having to scrap their entire codebase.
- Null Safety: Kotlin's null safety features outshine Java, reducing the risk of NullPointerExceptions and making your code safer and more dependable.
- Compact and Spick-and-span Syntax: Kotlin's syntax is as lean as a cheetah and easy to read, resulting in faster development times and fewer lines of code.
- Plentiful Modern Features: Smart casts, coroutines, extension functions, and data classes make even the most tedious coding tasks a breeze.
- Universal Compatibility: Kotlin Multiplatform allows developers to create a unified codebase that'll run on more than just Android.
- Industry Love: Google's endorsement of Kotlin at Google I/O 2017 set off a chain reaction of growth and industry-wide support for this promising newcomer.
In the unlikely event of you still being a diehard Java or C++ dev, fear not! Google's not shutting up shop on either anytime soon. Happy coding! 🎉💪
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In the Android app development world, the shift from Java to Kotlin has started, with Google making more Jetpack APIs and features available for Kotlin developers first due to its potential to require less work and better interoperability with Java. This move mirrors Google's endorsement of Kotlin at Google I/O 2017, which has since gained widespread industry support, solidifying Kotlin's position as a significant player in the technology landscape.
