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Learn Kotlin with online courses and programs

If you’re planning to pursue a career as a software developer or programmer, consider learning Kotlin, a concise and readable programming language used for building mobile applications.

What is Kotlin programming language?

Kotlin is a free, open-source, general-purpose programming language. Released by JetBrains in 2016, Kotlin is fully interoperable with Java and supports both object-oriented and functional programming. Kotlin was originally intended for use with Java Virtual Machine (JVM) and Android, but can now be used for Windows, Linux, iOS, macOS, watchOS, and other operating systems.

Kotlin has several features that make it versatile, such as anonymous functions, closures, and higher-order functions. Since Kotlin is compatible with Java programming, developers can use Kotlin and Java in a single project.

Kotlin programming language allows you to accomplish your goals with fewer lines of code than other, similar, programming languages. It can help reduce security vulnerabilities and its clean code makes it easy to maintain.1

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Kotlin course curriculum

Interested to learn how to use this programming language? An introductory course or Kotlin tutorial can cover foundational steps for building Android apps. These courses can teach learners how to:

  • Add images and text to applications.
  • Use classes, objects, and conditionals to create interactivity.
  • Build layouts by using the design guidelines and UI development best practices.
  • Enhance navigation for the user.
  • Write coroutines for complex code.

Explore Kotlin programming jobs

Learn Kotlin to support a number of different roles, including:

  • Kotlin developer: use Kotlin to plan, design, and develop apps and software. Developers also review apps and systems, focusing on ways to improve those systems through optimization.2
  • Computer programmer: write, modify, and test code and scripts using programming languages like Kotlin. A programmer is responsible for taking the design that a software developer has created and then writing code so that the computer can execute that design. A programmer also tests the applications and software that they have created to ensure they work properly.3
  • Software developer and tester: help design and create new programs and systems. Software developers will analyze a user’s needs, then design and help to develop software to solve those challenges. They may create several models and diagrams to show programmers the code that an application requires, and then they will maintain and test a program to confirm that it functions appropriately.4

Pursuing a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in a related field, like computer and information technology, engineering, or math, can give you the educational foundation to prepare you for these careers. Keep in mind that specific educational requirements will vary depending on the job. Some jobs might require a bachelor’s degree, while others might prefer that candidates have a master’s degree.5

In addition to bachelor’s and master’s degrees, boot camps offer you a chance to pursue specialized training and education in coding, cybersecurity, and other topics that can be helpful for your career.

How to become a Kotlin programmer online

As a Kotlin developer or programmer, you could use Kotlin when designing and developing apps and software which require expert-level knowledge of the programming language, as well as Java programming. It may be important to build a strong knowledge of databases and a familiarity with web frameworks. Experience with SQL, web development solutions, and object-oriented fundamentals can also be essential, as are strong programming skills and hands-on experience with software development and app design.6

A bachelor’s degree in data science can help you to learn and apply some of these foundational skills. However, more specialized coursework, like a coding boot camp, may also be a helpful learning path, particularly if you want to focus on a specific skill. Explore all of the educational opportunities that edX has to offer and begin your learning journey today.

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    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is Kotlin used for?

    Kotlin is a coding language that can be used to create mobile apps and programs. It can be used with Java Virtual Machine, Android, Windows, iOS, Linux, macOS, watchOS, and other operating systems. Kotlin is used to quickly develop modern web applications and Microservices using Angular or React (JavaScript resources) and the Spring Framework.

    Is Kotlin easy to learn?

    Kotlin is a programming language that might be easier to learn than others. Kotlin requires fewer coding lines, and its code is clean, making it easier to understand and maintain. If you’re already familiar with other programming languages, like Java developers are, you may be able to learn Kotlin more quickly.

    What is the difference between Kotlin and Java?

    Kotlin was designed to interoperate with Java. Java is one of the most popular general-purpose programming languages, however, Kotlin is newer. Both Kotlin and Java support object-oriented programming, but Kotlin supports functional programming, too. Kotlin also offers extension functions, which Java does not currently offer.

    Which is better: Kotlin or Java?

    Everyone’s needs in a programming language are different. Whether Kotlin or Java is better will depend on your project and your familiarity with both languages.

    Should you learn Kotlin or Java first?

    Whether you should learn Kotlin or Java first will depend on your needs: Kotlin can be more concise while Java is more widely used. If you do decide to learn Java first, understanding Java could make it easier to learn Kotlin.

    Why learn Kotlin?

    Three years after Kotlin’s launch in 2016, Google announced that Kotlin was its preferred programming language for Android applications, making it increasingly useful to understand.

    1. What is Kotlin Programming Language? (2022). DevTeam.Space. Retrieved December 27, 2022.

    2. What Does a Kotlin Developer Do? (2022). FreelancerMap. Retrieved December 27, 2022.

    3. What Computer Programmers Do. (2022). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved December 27, 2022.

    4. Software Developers, Quality Assurance Analysts, and Testers. (2022). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved December 27, 2022.

    5. How to Become a Software Developer, Quality Assurance Analyst, or Tester. (2022). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved December 27, 2022.

    6. What Does a Kotlin Developer Do? (2022). FreelancerMap. Retrieved December 27, 2022.