With big companies adding Kotlin to their tech stack there’s no doubt that it’s a force to be reckoned with. For developers that brings the question, should they take the time to learn it?
As far as programming languages go, it’s easy to learn and easy to apply. There are large communities out there willing to share their knowledge and a wealth of resources to help you along the way.
Not only that, but it could be the factor that advances your career. Can you afford to miss out? For us, it’s not worth the risk. Let’s explore Kotlin and why it should be your next career move.
What is Kotlin used for?
Designed to work with Java, Kotlin is an open-source programming language used by some of the biggest apps today. Want some examples? Trello, Tinder and Pinterest all benefit from Kotlin’s clear and concise coding architecture.
One of the perks of Kotlin is its concise nature, saving time, particularly when compared to writing boilerplate code in Java. It can run on multiple platforms, handles nulls and has a large support community. Making it the coding language of choice for Android developers.
Is Kotlin the future?
Within the next few years we predict that Kotlin will become the next big programming language. Its popularity in emerging fields such as mobile, web and cloud development is increasing and that’s set to continue.
For programmers now is the time to add Kotlin to your repertoire and use that knowledge to boost your career prospects.
How can Kotlin put you ahead of the competition?
You’ll be more efficient at your job
Why create 10 lines of code when one will do? Java has ruled the programming language world for a long time but you can accomplish the same tasks with Kotlin, only quicker. Kotlin is a concise language that uses abstractions without impacting the readability of the code. As a developer, that means you can write more code and spend less time reviewing code.
You’ll create higher quality apps
There are features built into Kotlin to reduce the number of bugs and system failures. Improving the quality of your apps and making it easier for developers. You won’t be making the “billion dollar mistake” like Tony Hoare, as in Kotlin by default variables can’t be null. You can also reuse code making it easier to maintain.
You’ll become multilingual
Kotlin has been developed to work alongside Java. Apps you’ve created in Java can be migrated to Kotlin, it’s interoperability allows seamless integration where you’re already using Java. It’s not a case of stopping using one and starting with the next, it’s about picking the right solution for the job. If you’re a Java developer and add Kotlin to your skillset you’ll be one step ahead of everyone else and your work will benefit.
You’ll be more versatile
While Kotlin is the go-to for Android development it can also be used for web applications. Kotlin can generate JavaScript and native code and its multiplatform fluency allows you to be diverse. Flitting between languages and platforms depending on the project. That type of flexibility makes you an incredible asset to any team.
You’ll be in demand
There’s no denying it, Kotlin experience is in demand. If you take a look at many Android Developer roles Kotlin is an essential requirement. Failing to upskill in Kotlin may result in you ruling yourself out of certain careers. It’s a high risk strategy and not one that we’d advise.
What are the career options for a Kotlin developer?
A solid understanding of Kotlin programming opens a world of possibilities to work on leading projects in a variety of fields. Some of those opportunities are:
● Android app developer
● Data science projects
● Web developer
● Back end developer
● Software analysis
Kotlin isn’t a passing trend. Something that might hang around and then disappear. It’s here to stay, and it’s going to shake up the industry. If you learn Kotlin now, there’s no doubt that it will boost your career prospects. It’ll set you up to work on different projects, different platforms and in a different way to many of your peers. What’s stopping you?
Are you a skilled developer looking to add Kotlin to your tech stack? Want to join our
growing Kotlin Community? Reach out to our Source Technology team today. hello@source-technology.com