Iris Hunkeler

Why Kotlin is the better Java and how you can start using it

What if you could eliminate Java's billion-dollar mistake? Kotlin's null safety system is designed from the ground up to do just that.

Why Kotlin is the better Java and how you can start using it
#1about 6 minutes

A high-level comparison of Kotlin and Java

Kotlin was designed to be a better, more modern language than Java while remaining fully interoperable.

#2about 5 minutes

Eliminating null pointer exceptions with null safety

Kotlin's type system distinguishes between nullable and non-nullable types at compile time to prevent null pointer exceptions.

#3about 6 minutes

Reducing boilerplate code with Kotlin data classes

Data classes automatically generate getters, setters, equals(), hashCode(), and toString() methods to simplify POJOs.

#4about 5 minutes

Adding new functionality with extension functions

Extension functions allow you to add new methods to existing classes without inheriting from them, avoiding utility classes.

#5about 6 minutes

Simplifying code with string templates and smart casts

String templates provide intuitive string formatting, while smart casts automatically handle type casting after an `is` check.

#6about 5 minutes

Understanding Java's remaining unique language features

Java still has features not present in Kotlin, such as checked exceptions, primitive types, and wildcard types.

#7about 5 minutes

Achieving interoperability between Java and Kotlin code

Kotlin and Java code can coexist and call each other within the same project, though with some limitations like null safety.

#8about 4 minutes

Practical resources for getting started with Kotlin

Developers can learn Kotlin through interactive exercises like Kotlin Koans, books, and by building backend or Android applications.

#9about 9 minutes

Q&A: Migrating projects and convincing your team

Migrating a Spring Boot project can be done incrementally, and convincing a team involves focusing on long-term benefits like code stability.

#10about 8 minutes

Q&A: Comparing Kotlin's ecosystem and future outlook

While Java's community is larger, Kotlin leverages the same JVM ecosystem and is unlikely to be fully matched by Java due to legacy constraints.

Related jobs
Jobs that call for the skills explored in this talk.

Software Engineer

tree-IT GmbH

tree-IT GmbH
Bad Neustadt an der Saale, Germany

€54-80K
Intermediate
Senior
Java
TypeScript
+1

Matching moments

Introduction to Kotlin and its Java interoperability
02:58 MIN

Introduction to Kotlin and its Java interoperability

Route from Java to Kotlin

An introduction to Kotlin and its Java interoperability
02:48 MIN

An introduction to Kotlin and its Java interoperability

Moving from Java to Kotlin

Making the business case for adopting Kotlin
02:25 MIN

Making the business case for adopting Kotlin

Moving from Java to Kotlin

A practical guide to gradual Kotlin adoption
04:41 MIN

A practical guide to gradual Kotlin adoption

Moving from Java to Kotlin

Audience Q&A on Kotlin features and learning resources
10:56 MIN

Audience Q&A on Kotlin features and learning resources

Route from Java to Kotlin

Strategies for successful company-wide adoption
01:46 MIN

Strategies for successful company-wide adoption

Moving from Java to Kotlin

Modern object orientation with Kotlin data classes
03:57 MIN

Modern object orientation with Kotlin data classes

Moving from Java to Kotlin

The compelling case for migrating to modern Java
01:43 MIN

The compelling case for migrating to modern Java

Beam Me Up, Java! Unraveling the Warp-Speed Evolution: A Journey through Java LTS Versions 11 to 21

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