Java vs Kotlin most Important details that You Must Know

Java vs Kotlin

Many programming languages are available today, like C, C++, C#, Pascal, JavaScript, Java, and Kotlin. Which are the most popular because of their features, advantages, and uses.

Kotlin is a new language that has been introduced in the last few years. Large numbers of people don’t know about these languages. But google officially launched this language for Android applications.

If you want to know the difference between “Java vs Kotlin.” Then you have come to the right place to find the answer. 

Here we will explain the difference between the two programming languages ​​in an easy and most simplest way. At the end of this blog all your doubts will be cleared regarding both programming languages.

Take programming assignment help from Codeavail experts to learn more about these languages.

What is Java?

Java is a general-purpose, object-oriented programming language designed to have as few implementation dependencies as possible. It is intended to let application developers write once and run anywhere (WORA), meaning that compiled Java code can run on all platforms that support Java without recompilation. Java is one of the most popular programming languages, particularly for client-server web applications, with a reported 9 million developers.

What is Kotlin?

JetBrains first introduced it in 2011. Kotlin is an open-source, general-purpose, statically typed programming language for the JVM and Android.

It combines object-oriented and functional programming features.

This has resulted in world-class IDEs such as IntelliJ IDEA, PHPstorm, AppCode, and others.

In 2017, Google sponsored it and announced it. It is one of the official languages for Android development.

It is fully interoperable with Java and Android and was designed to improve upon some of the shortcomings of Java. It’s open source and developed by JetBrains and Google.

Kotlin’s design encourages developers to write safer, more readable code while trying to keep as much compatibility as possible with Java to ease the transition. Some main features are null safety, data classes, extension functions, lambdas, and coroutines.

Kotlin is officially supported by Google for Android development and has been gaining popularity over the past few years among the Android developer community. 

It’s been increasingly adopted by companies and Android app development projects worldwide. Many features make it more concise and expressive, and it can help improve performance and reduce the amount of code to be written.

Here are the features of “JAVA and Kotlin.”

Both languages take care of many features, which makes them different from each other. We will explain them one by one. Let’s start with JAVA.

JAVA Key Features

Java is a general-purpose, high-level programming language. Some of its key features include

Object-oriented

Java is based on the concepts of objects and classes, which are used to define the properties and methods of a data structure.

Platform-independent

Java code can be run on various hardware and software platforms, including Windows, Mac, and Linux, without modification.

Multi-threaded

Java supports the ability to write programs that can perform multiple tasks at the same time.

Automatic memory management

Java uses a garbage collection feature to automatically manage the allocation and deallocation of memory, which helps prevent memory leaks.

Rich libraries

Java has an extensive set of libraries, making it easy to perform common tasks such as reading and writing to files, connecting to a network, and creating graphical user interfaces.

Security

Java is designed to be secure and to provide a high level of protection against malicious code, such as viruses and other malware.

Type-safe

Java provides a type-safe language so that all the operations are type checked at compile time.

Dynamic and Extensible

Java is designed to be extensible and dynamic so that new objects can be added to a running program, and it can be used to create a wide variety of applications.

Concurrent

Java programming language allows concurrency through Threads, locks, and other built-in libraries.

Key Features of Kotlin programming languages 

Kotlin is a cross-platform, statically-typed, general-purpose programming language. Some of its key features include

Concise

Kotlin code is often more concise than equivalent Java code, making it easier to read and maintain.

Interoperable 

Kotlin is fully interoperable with Java, which means that Java and Kotlin code can be used together in the same project.

Null safety

Kotlin has built-in null safety features, which help prevent null pointer exceptions and make the code more stable and secure.

Higher-order functions and Lambdas

Kotlin supports higher-order functions and Lambdas, which allow you to pass functions as arguments to other functions and can make the code more expressive and easier to understand.

Extension functions

Kotlin provides extension functions that allow the extension of the functionality of classes without having to inherit from them, it can be used to add methods to classes that are not part of the standard library, making the code more reusable.

Data classes

Kotlin supports data classes, which are designed to hold data, and typically include no additional functionality.

Type inference

Kotlin can infer the type of a variable, which means that you don’t always have to specify it explicitly, making the code more readable.

Coroutines

Kotlin provides a powerful mechanism called coroutines that allows you to write asynchronous, non-blocking code in a way that is similar to synchronous code, making it more readable and less error-prone.

Multi-platform

Kotlin can be used to build applications for the web, Android, iOS, Windows, Linux, and macOS.

Gradual Migration

Kotlin code can easily coexist with Java code in the same project and allows developers to migrate to Kotlin slowly.

FeaturesJAVA LanguageFeaturesKotlin Language
Object-orientedJava is based on the concepts of objects and classes, which are used to define the properties and methods of a data structure.ConciseKotlin code is often more concise than equivalent Java code, making it easier to read and maintain.
Platform-independentJava code can be run on various hardware and software platforms, including Windows, Mac, and Linux, without modification.InteroperableKotlin is fully interoperable with Java, which means that Java and Kotlin code can be used together in the same project.
Multi-threadedJava supports the ability to write programs that can perform multiple tasks at the same time.Null safetyKotlin has built-in null safety features, which help prevent null pointer exceptions and make the code more stable and secure.
Automatic memory managementJava uses a garbage collection feature to automatically manage the allocation and deallocation of memory, which helps prevent memory leaks.Higher-order functions and LambdasKotlin supports higher-order functions and Lambdas, which allow you to pass functions as arguments to other functions and can make the code more expressive and easier to understand.
Rich librariesJava has an extensive set of libraries, making it easy to perform common tasks such as reading and writing files, connecting to a network, and creating graphical user interfaces.Extension functionsKotlin provides extension functions that allow the extension of the functionality of classes without having to inherit from them, it can be used to add methods to classes that are not part of the standard library, making the code more reusable.
SecurityJava is designed to be secure and to provide a high level of protection against malicious code, such as viruses and other malware.Data classesKotlin supports data classes, which are designed to hold data, and typically include no additional functionality.
Type-safeJava provides a type-safe language so that all the operations are type checked at compile time.Type inferenceKotlin can infer the type of a variable, which means that you Don’t always have to specify it explicitly, making the code more readable.
Dynamic and ExtensibleJava is designed to be extensible and dynamic so that new objects can be added to a running program, and it can be used to create a wide variety of applications.CoroutinesKotlin provides a powerful mechanism called coroutines that allows you to write asynchronous, non-blocking code in a way that is similar to synchronous code, making it more readable and less error-prone.
ConcurrentJava programming language allows concurrency through Threads, locks, and other built-in libraries.Multi-platformKotlin can be used to build applications for the web, Android, iOS, Windows, Linux, and macOS.
Gradual MigrationKotlin code can easily coexist with Java code in the same project and allows developers to migrate to kotlin slowly.

JAVA carries many advantages and disadvantages. Let’s start to talk.

Also read: Easiest Programming Language

JAVA Advantages

Java has several advantages, including

Platform independence

Java programs can run on any platform with a Java Virtual Machine (JVM) installed, making it highly portable.

Object-oriented

Java is a pure object-oriented programming language that provides a clear structure for organizing and defining the responsibilities of objects.

Large class library

Java has a large and well-documented class library that provides many useful functions, including input/output, networking, and graphical user interface (GUI) development.

Security

Java has built-in security features that help protect users from malicious software and viruses.

Automatic memory management

Java’s automatic garbage collector helps ensure that the program doesn’t run out of memory by freeing up memory space used by objects that are no longer needed.

Multithreading support

Java provides built-in support for multithreading, which makes it easy to develop concurrent, high-performance applications.

High-level Language

Java is a high-level language, which means it is closer to human languages and farther from machine languages.

Open source and actively maintained

Java is an open-source platform, and the community continuously improves the language and tools.

JAVA Disadvantages

Java also has some disadvantages, including

Performance

Java can be slower than natively compiled languages like C or C++, particularly when it comes to tasks that require a lot of memory or processor time.

Memory management

Java’s automatic memory management can make it difficult to control how objects are allocated and released in memory, leading to potential performance issues.

Verbose syntax

Java’s syntax can be verbose and requires more lines of code to accomplish the same task as a language like Python.

Lack of templates

Java does not support templates, which are a feature of C++ that allows developers to write generic code that can work with multiple types.

Limited support for functional programming

Java is an object-oriented language and not as well-suited to functional programming as other languages like Scala or Haskell.

Limited support for operator overloading

Java does not support operator overloading, a feature that allows developers to redefine the behavior of operators for different types.

Limited support for unsigned types

Java does not provide support for unsigned types, this may limit the type of algorithm or implementation you can use in your program.

The size of the executable

Java files are typically larger than the equivalent C++ or C files, as it needs a Java Virtual Machine (JVM) to run the code, this increases the size of the executable.

Kotlin Advantages

Kotlin is a modern programming language for the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) that was first introduced in 2011. It has several advantages, including

Interoperability with Java

Kotlin is fully interoperable with Java, which means you can use existing Java code in a Kotlin project and vice versa.

Concise syntax

Kotlin’s syntax is designed to be more concise than Java’s, making it easier to write and read code.

Improved type inference

Kotlin has improved type inference, which means that the compiler can automatically infer the type of a variable based on its initial value, reducing the amount of explicit type information that needs to be provided.

Better support for functional programming

Kotlin provides first-class support for functional programming constructs like lambdas, higher-order functions, and a more expressive type system.

Null safety

Kotlin provides null safety features that help prevent null pointer exceptions, which are a common source of bugs in Java programs.

Enhanced type system

Kotlin has an enhanced type system that allows for better control over nullability and immutability, which can lead to fewer runtime errors.

Improved Error handling

Kotlin introduced ‘sealed classes’ and ‘exception handling’ that allows handling exceptions more effectively and in an organized manner.

Provide Extension functions

Kotlin provides the feature of Extension functions that allows adding new functionalities to existing classes without modifying them.

Open-source & Actively Maintained

Kotlin is Open source and Actively Maintained by JetBrains and the community.

Kotlin Disadvantages

Like any programming language, Kotlin has some disadvantages, including

Learning curve

While the syntax of Kotlin is designed to be more concise and intuitive than Java’s, it may still take some time for developers to learn and become proficient in the language.

Smaller community

Kotlin is a relatively new programming language, and its community is smaller compared to other more established languages like Java and Python.

Limited IDE support

While support for Kotlin in IDEs has greatly improved in recent years, there are still some limitations in terms of the level of integration with certain IDEs.

Smaller library ecosystem

Since Kotlin is a relatively new language, its library ecosystem is still smaller compared to more established languages like Java and Python, which may make it harder to find pre-existing libraries that can be easily integrated into a project.

Limited backward compatibility

Some of the new features of Kotlin require the latest version of the JVM, this may only sometimes be possible to update in certain environments.

Limited experience

Since Kotlin is relatively new, only a few developers have experience with it, which may make it harder to find experienced Kotlin developers for your project.

The steep learning curve for developers familiar with other languages

As Kotlin syntax may differ from those familiar with other languages, it may require more time and effort to get used to the new language

Potentially longer build times

Since Kotlin compiles down to Java bytecode, it may take longer to build and run, as compared to directly running JVM languages like Java and Scala.

The major 10 differences between “JAVA VS Kotlin”

Here are the major 10 differences between JAVA and Kotlin that you should know:

Sr. No.ParametersJAVAKotlin
1SpeedJava is 20% more fast than KotlinKotlin is 15-20% slow in Compilation
2Null Pointer ExceptionJava has nullpointerExceptionKotlin avoids nullpointerException
3Extension FunctionJava does not support Extension FunctionsKotlin supports Extension Functions
4CastingJava uses Manual CastingKotin uses Smart Casting
5Checked ExceptionJava had checked the ExceptionKotlin eliminated checked exceptions
6Language TypeJava Purely ProceduralFunctional and Procedural
7Data TypesManual Variable datatype handlingAutomatic Variable Datatype handling
8Getter and SetterProgrammer will take care of getter, and setterCompiler will take care of getter and setter
9UsesJava web applications, Scientific Applications, Software Tools, Big DataMobile Applications, Server-side and client-side, Data Science
10File ExtensionsThe file extensions used by Java are.java (for source files),.class (for class files), and.jar (for archived files).The file extensions used by Kotlin are .kt (for Kotlin source files), .kts (for Kotlin script files), and .ktm (for Kotlin module)

Conclusion

We have discussed “Java vs Kotlin” and its most important details. We hope this is a proper guide about Java and Kotlin. They will help you make your decision because you can understand all (Advantages, disadvantages, features, and both language differences) about both languages in this article.