Is Kotlin easy to learn?

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Table of Contents

Compared to other programming languages, Kotlin isn’t easy to learn.
There’s a lot of borrowed stuff from other programming languages, so it might seem familiar sometimes, but there are times it feels abstract due to its multidimensional sources.

Since Kotlin borrows a lot from different programming languages, it’s often advised to get familiar with the basics before learning Kotlin.
Else, you’d be putting the cart before the horse, and we all know how that often winds up.

Besides its numerous borrowed concepts, Kotlin expects users to know the basics.
It’s a professional-grade language, so anyone looking to learn needs to be fully grounded in multiple programming languages.
Though an intricate language, Kotlin still offers more than a handful of shortcuts, making it easier to create codes within the shortest of times.
Of course, this can easily backfire if you don’t have sufficient knowledge of the programming language.

Since Kotlin is deployed on the renowned Java infrastructure, there’s a massive array of tools available for programmers using the language.
This should prove helpful when creating codes – having a massive catalog of tools is certainly nothing to be sniffed at.
Perhaps the undoing of Kotlin is that many consider it as an upgrade on Java, and we all know how complex the former is.
So Kotlin being described as an update on Java alludes to a more complicated language, which isn’t any baby programmer’s cup of tea.

Another reason why many might struggle to learn Kotlin is the lack of adequate courses for those familiar with other programming languages besides Java.
Most of the learning aids out there erroneously consider Kotlin to be the language for Java programmers. Of course, nothing could be farther from the truth.
The few resources that teach Kotlin don’t do just to the programming language as its advanced features are intentionally sidelined.

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Is Kotlin easy to learn?
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Kotlin VS Java

For those unaware, Kotlin is a programming language built with JavaScript and Java Virtual Machine (JVM) at its core. 

Yet, the programming language is a step up on Java programming. 

Though Java is widely used amongst developers, especially due to its massive decentralized tools database, the programming language has its shortcomings. 

Java can be a developer’s worst nightmare. The programming language is saddled with lots of boilerplate codes, which give a developer serious issues when deploying an application using the programming language.

Kotlin wasn’t created to rival Java but to improve on the shortcomings of the highly popular programming language. 

Whether the programming language has achieved that is certainly up for debate among developers. Many agree it has done that. 

This school of thought views Kotlin as a more stable programming language, which is something some developers believe Java has failed to attain. 

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One of the reasons Kotlin continues to grow in usage is its lightweight nature. 

The programming language is so different from Java in the absence of redundant codes, which is something every developer can confirm troubles Java. 

Kotlin remedies this malady through improvement in syntax, making coding less ambiguous.

Kotlin salvages some of the API design flaws haunting Java through its much cleaner setup.

These attributes of Kotlin aren’t surprising once you look back at its origin. 

The programming language was created to move away from the tedious coding experience that caused problems for developers. 

Kotlin is more developer-friendly than Java. This is confirmed by recent updates to the programming language, which allows for multi-platform sharing of codes. 

It’s such a big deal as it reduces the burden of creating already existing codes. 

The new release lets developers reuse codes, conserving the time and energy expended on such tasks to more important ones. 

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Can I Learn Kotlin Without Java?

Of course, you can learn Kotlin without Java. 

Though Kotlin was built on JavaScript and Java Virtual Machine, you don’t need to have any Java knowledge to learn the programming language. 

Learning Kotlin is much easier compared to Java as the former has better syntax than the latter. 

Kotlin has a much lower code length when placed side-by-side with Java, which explains the former’s lightweight setup.

While you don’t need to learn Java before proceeding to learn Kotlin, background knowledge of other programming languages will help. 

It helps you appreciate the flow of Kotlin since you have some experience with another programming language. 

Many believe learning the basics of Java helps soften the learning curve of Kotlin, but this isn’t exactly the case. 

The Java syntax, notorious for its ambiguity, has no place in Kotlin. If you become so adept at Java, you’ll have a lot of relearning to do once you make that switch to Kotlin. 

At the same time, some first-hand experience of Java helps water the ground for your Kotlin learning. 

Kotlin runs on the Java Virtual Machine (JVM), so if you can grab some knowledge of the JVM, it will prove quite convenient as you learn Kotlin. 

The catch with Kotlin is it’s practically compatible with Android only – that’s where Java has an edge. 

By learning other programming languages like Java, you’re not limited to just Android; the entire digital space is your turf. 

Many view Kotlin as a clutter-less Java, which explains the popularity of the former. 

Yet, the Android SDK is based on Java, making it different to jettison the older programming language. No matter the preference disparity, understanding the basics of both will do you more good.

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Kotlin Tutorial for Beginners

If you’re looking to start your Kotlin journey, there are lots of tutorial programs available. 

You just have to know to unearth these Kotlin tutorial programs. 

Before you go to use Kotlin tutorial courses to enhance your knowledge of the programming language, it’s important to understand what to expect. 

For a beginner, learning Kotlin entails your readiness for the Android development world. 

The basics of every Kotlin tutorial for beginners require getting familiar with certain concepts and activities. 

For instance, the open keyword is something you’d see in Kotlin. 

A good Kotlin tutorial for beginners is expected to explain the concept of open keywords, the practicality of the concept in Android app development, and more. 

A good Kotlin tutorial program for beginners should dive deep into the various visibility modifiers for Kotlin, ensuring it’s as clear as daylight from the get-go. Of course, the Kotlin tutorial program for beginners should be able to imbibe in students how these visibility modifiers are used in Kotlin. 

Kotlin tutorial programs can be either in written forms or videos, but of course, there should be visual content that helps students understand what’s being taught. 

It’s not enough to regurgitate blocks of text; there has to be a pictorial representation of what’s being taught. 

A good Kotlin tutorial program for beginners has to break down the use of interfaces within the programming language. 

Considering the impact of an interface in all sorts of applications, including Android apps, you aren’t grounded in Kotlin if your interface foundation isn’t solid.

Labels and jumps are concepts used in Kotlin. 

Tutorial programs for beginners looking to learn the Android development language must understand these concepts as they proceed towards having a full grasp of the Kotlin language.

There’s also the need to become acquainted with other concepts in Kotlin, such as code formatting and others.  

Kotlin vs. Python

Both might be programming languages, but as expected, disparity does exist between the two. Kotlin is mostly constrained to Android development. 

Python is a much more broad programming language. 

Besides the Android advantage, many developers believe Kotlin is rather handicapped. 

A school of thought believes Kotlin isn’t as ‘marketable’ as Python. 

This conclusion is often reached due to the greater demand for the latter compared to the former. 

For would-be developers looking to enter the labor market, the general conception is that Kotlin isn’t as rewarding as Python. 

So if you’re looking to learn Kotlin for job opportunities, you might want to think twice. 

A plus for Kotlin is its statistically typed background, which is lacking in Python. 

Being a statistically typed language makes Kotlin roughed enough to meet the demands of certain projects, and the absence of undesired syntax cements that.

What Kotlin lacks in a spread, the programming language makes up for in other areas. 

Kotlin is Google’s preferred choice for app development for obvious reasons. 

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Is Kotlin Easier Than Java?

The ease of learning a programming language differs with the individual. 

Some persons have no programming experience, making less easier to navigate new territory like Kotlin. 

A novice will feel at home with Java than Kotlin. Lots of shortcuts are commonplace on the former.

The ease of Java for a beginner isn’t tied to the simplicity of Java. Rather it’s down to the vast available resource material for learning Java. 

Kotlin might be the preferred language for Android programming, but it’s relatively new compared to Java. 

Resources on Kotlin aren’t as widespread and available as Java, which makes learning seem daunting. 

For those that are not new to programming languages, Java will certainly be easier to navigate. 

Its syntax isn’t new to the programming community. Add the object-oriented status of the Java programming language, and it’s certainly one that most programmers are comfortable with.

The catch is that Kotlin becomes easy as soon as you’re conversant with Java. 

If you have zero knowledge about the latter, you will struggle with the former. 

So if you’re looking to learn Kotlin quickly and easily, you should get some basic knowledge of Java. 

It’s going to be handy on your Kotlin journey. 

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Learn Kotlin Without Java Experience

Wondering if you can learn Kotlin without Java experience? Of course, you can. Learning Kotlin without any programming language experience is also feasible. 

However, you might take longer to learn Kotlin, especially if you have no programming experience. 

This isn’t just about Java. Knowledge of the nitty-gritty of programming is certain to ensure a hitch-free Kotlin learning experience. 

The attributes of Kotlin do help. Its simpler syntax is much easier to deal with, especially when compared to the verbose Java syntax. 

Don’t forget the code length of Kotlin that’s nothing compared to the longer Java code length. 

What many would-be Kotlin programmers have failed to realize is that understanding programming flow is so crucial. 

Anyone interested in learning Kotlin has to be exposed to the flow of other programming languages, so they can appreciate the Kotlin difference. 

Understandably, many are looking to shorten the learning time, so they go ahead to learn a new programming language like Kotlin with zero programming language. 

However, this isn’t the right path to follow if you’re looking to be good at Kotlin. 

Hurrying the process isn’t always the way to go. 

Like Miley Cyrus said in her hit single The Climb: 

It’s about how fast you do it, but the process is an integral part of your journey. 

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Is Java Easy To Learn?

Your programming experience or how you learn Java will decide if it’s the easiest thing you have learned or the hardest thing in your life. 

If you don’t have any programming experience, you will be caught in Java’s verbose loop. 

The intricacies of the programming language make it unappealing to those with Python knowledge. 

The oddity or uniqueness of Java is everything is out in the open. 

While it is something many programmers appreciate, beginners are often confounded by the excessive details. 

Learning the basics of Java isn’t difficult. 

But if You intend to build applications using the programming language, things get heated up quickly. 

You can deal with the heat or dump the programming language. It’s your call. 

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Conclusion

Kotlin has ties to Java. Learning Kotlin isn’t difficult. Compared to Java, it’s relatively easy. However, you stand a better chance of mastering Kotlin if you have some programming language background. 

If you decide to jump the gun and proceed to learn Kotlin without any programming language knowledge, it takes a bit longer to get the hang of the Android programming language. 

So if you’re thinking about learning Kotlin at the snap of your fingers, think again.

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Unity personal

As for the Unity engine, you will realize that it has a free personal plan that is entirely free and comes aboard with tons of features that are enough for an individual and even small businesses to use comfortably with only a few limits. 

And again, when you build a game, you can make money out of it, as you might have known, right? But you also need to know that when your company exceeds a turnover of $100K, then, you will be required to purchase the Unity Professional license. 

Unity provides paid plans for bigger businesses. The first plan is present for businesses that have revenue that is below $200K in the past 12 months prior to purchase. The second plan is known as the pro plan that is available for businesses that have revenue that is more than $200K in the last 12 months prior to purchase. The pro plan has a 2-year prepaid package that goes for $2,850, and also an annual prepaid plan that goes for $1500 and a monthly plan that goes for $125 monthly. 

So, from this, you now know that Unity isn’t free but its personal version that has limits to some parts is the one a free version while other parts are priced based on the amount that you have gained. 

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Luis Gillman
Luis Gillman

Hi, I Am Luis Gillman CA (SA), ACMA
I am a Chartered Accountant (SA) and CIMA (SA) and author of Due Diligence: A strategic and Financial Approach.

The book was published by Lexis Nexis on 2001. In 2010, I wrote the second edition. Much of this website is derived from these two books.

In addition I have published an article entitled the Link Between Due Diligence and Valautions.

Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that the information published on this website is accurate, the author and owners of this website take no responsibility  for any loss or damage suffered as a result of relience upon the information contained therein.  Furthermore the bulk of the information is derived from information in 2018 and use therefore is at your on risk. In addition you should consult professional advice if required.