Kotlin Android Tutorial
Kotlin is a cross-platform programming language that may be used as an alternative to Java for Android App Development. Kotlin is an easy language so that you can create powerful applications immediately. Kotlin is much simpler for beginners to try as compared to Java, and this Kotlin Android Tutorial can also be used as an ‘entry point’ for Android App Development.
In this article we will learn about Android with Kotlin Tutorial.
Table of Content
What is Kotlin?
Kotlin is a modern, cross-platform programming language that was introduced by JetBrains in 2011 to develop the language and was released in 2016 in 2017 google announced Kotlin is an official language for Android development.
It is an alternative to Java for Android App Development. Kotlin is free, and it was developed under Apache 2.0, and the source code is on GitHub. It is compatible with Java, which means that Kotlin programs can support Java.
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Why Use Kotlin?
Kotlin is fully compatible with Java and its programs are run in Kotlin, and It works on different platforms like Windows, Mac, Linux, Raspberry Pi, etc. Kotlin is concise and secure. Kotlin is easy to learn, especially if you already know Java.
It is free to use and has better performance and fast compilation time. Kotlin helps to extend the functionality of classes without touching their code, and It is tool-friendly so that you can use any Java IDE to run Kotlin.
Android Studio
- How to Convert Java Code to Kotlin Code in Android Studio?
- Android Project folder Structure
- Android Application File Structure
- The Application Manifest File
- res/values folder in Android Studio
- build.gradle file in Android Studio
- Assets Folder in Android Studio
- Resource Raw Folder in Android Studio
Components
- Components of an Android Application
- Introduction to Activities in Android
- Services in Android with Example
- Content Providers in Android with Example
- Broadcast Receiver in Android With Example
TextView
- TextView in Kotlin
- Dynamic TextView in Kotlin
- AutoCompleteTextView in Kotlin
- Dynamic AutoCompleteTextView in Kotlin
- CheckedTextView in Kotlin
- Dynamic CheckedTextView in Kotlin
ScrollView
- ScrollView in Android
- HorizontalScrollView in Kotlin
- Dynamic ScrollView in Kotlin
- DynamicHorizontal ScrollView in Kotlin
Other Views
- Dynamic ImageView in Kotlin
- Android ListView in Kotlin
- CardView in Android With Example
- VideoView in Kotlin
- Zigzag View in Android
- ViewAnimator in Android with Example
Button
- Button in Kotlin
- RadioButton in Kotlin
- ImageButton in Kotlin
- ToggleButton in Kotlin
- RadioGroup in Kotlin
- CheckBox in Kotlin
- Dynamic ImageButton in Kotlin
- Dynamic RadioButton in Kotlin
EditText
Layouts
- Layouts in Android UI Design
- Android UI Layouts
- Android TableLayout in Kotlin
- Android FrameLayout in Kotlin
- Android RelativeLayout in Kotlin
- Android ConstraintLayout in Kotlin
- Android LinearLayout in Kotlin
- Android Motion Layout in Kotlin
Bar
- SeekBar in Kotlin
- Dynamic SeekBar in Kotlin
- Discrete SeekBar in Kotlin
- RatingBar in Kotlin
- Dynamic RatingBar in Kotlin
- ProgressBar in Kotlin
- Dynamic ProgressBar in Kotlin
Switcher
- Switch in Kotlin
- Dynamic Switch in Kotlin
- TextSwitcher in Kotlin
- Dynamic TextSwitcher in Kotlin
- ImageSwitcher in Kotlin
- Dynamic ImageSwitcher in Kotlin
Time and Date Picker
Toast
Misc
Advantage of Kotlin for Android Development
Choosing Kotlin for Android development offers several compelling benefits:
- Concise Code: Kotlin lets you write less code to do the same things, making it easier to read and maintain.
- Null Safety: Kotlin helps prevent common errors by making it harder to accidentally use null values, which can crash your app.
- Interoperability with Java: You can use Kotlin and Java together in the same project. Kotlin works well with existing Java code, so you don’t have to rewrite everything.
- Modern Features: Kotlin has many modern programming features that make development faster and more enjoyable, like extension functions and data classes.
- Better Performance: Kotlin often results in better-performing apps due to its efficient syntax and features.
- Official Support: Kotlin is officially supported by Google for Android development, ensuring good documentation and ongoing improvements.
- Active Community: A growing community of developers means lots of resources, libraries, and tools to help you learn and solve problems.
Conclusion
This Kotlin Android Tutorial has taught you the basics of Android development with Kotlin. You’ve learned how to set up your tools, write clear and concise code, and build key features for your apps. Kotlin’s modern features and safety measures make coding easier and help prevent errors. Keep practicing and exploring more advanced topics to keep improving. Kotlin makes developing Android apps simpler and more fun.
Kotlin Android Tutorial – FAQs
What is Kotlin, and why should I use it for Android development?
Kotlin is a modern, statically-typed programming language that runs on the Java Virtual Machine (JVM). It’s officially supported by Google for Android development because of its concise syntax, null safety features, and seamless interoperability with Java, making it easier to write and maintain code.
How do I set up my development environment for Kotlin Android development?
To set up your development environment, download and install Android Studio, which comes with Kotlin support built-in. Create a new project and ensure Kotlin is selected as the default language. Follow the setup wizard to configure your project, and you’re ready to start coding.
What are some key differences between Kotlin and Java for Android development?
Kotlin offers more concise and expressive syntax, built-in null safety, and modern language features like extension functions and data classes. It also has coroutines for easier asynchronous programming. Java, while more verbose, is well-established with a large community and extensive libraries.
How do I handle null values in Kotlin to avoid null pointer exceptions?
Kotlin provides built-in null safety by distinguishing nullable and non-nullable types. Use the safe call operator (?.), the Elvis operator (?:), and the not-null assertion operator (!!) to handle null values safely and effectively in your code.
Can I use Kotlin in an existing Java-based Android project?
Yes, Kotlin is fully interoperable with Java, meaning you can add Kotlin code to an existing Java project without any issues. You can call Java code from Kotlin and vice versa, allowing you to gradually migrate your project to Kotlin if desired.