Kotlin is a statically typed, cross-platform programming language that runs on the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) and can also be compiled to JavaScript or native code. Developed by JetBrains, it is fully interoperable with Java, allowing developers to use existing Java libraries and frameworks within Kotlin programs.
Key features of Kotlin include:
- Conciseness: Kotlin requires fewer lines of code compared to Java for the same functionality, reducing boilerplate code.
- Null Safety: Kotlin’s type system helps eliminate the danger of null references, which are a common source of runtime errors in Java.
- Interoperability: Kotlin is 100% interoperable with Java, meaning you can call Kotlin code from Java and vice versa.
- Smart Casts: Kotlin reduces the need for explicit type casts through smart casts, which automatically cast variables to the necessary type if the checks pass.
- Coroutines: Kotlin supports coroutines for asynchronous programming, making it easier to write non-blocking code.