Kotlin

What is it?

Kotlin is a JVM-based programming language developed by JetBrains. It is designed to be fully interoperable with Java while improving developer productivity, readability, and safety.

What does it do?

Kotlin enables developers to build Android applications with fewer errors and less boilerplate code. It provides features like null safety, data classes, coroutines for async programming, and strong tooling support.

Where is it used?

Kotlin is primarily used in native Android development but is also adopted for backend services, multiplatform applications, and cross-platform projects via Kotlin Multiplatform.

When & why it emerged

Kotlin was introduced in 2011 and became an official Android language in 2017. It emerged to address Java’s verbosity and common runtime issues while maintaining full compatibility with existing ecosystems.

Why we use it at Internative

We use Kotlin for native Android development when performance, stability, and long-term maintainability are critical. Its modern language features allow us to build clean, scalable Android applications efficiently.