Learn Kotlin for Free

Kotlin is a statically typed programming language that runs on the Java virtual machine and also can be compiled to JavaScript source code or use the LLVM compiler infrastructure. Its primary development is from a team of JetBrains programmers based in Saint Petersburg, Russia.

Kotlin has been added as a language for android app development from 2017. It’s simplicity compared to Java made it possible. Kotlin has a lot of features which enhances android app development, which was difficult earlier with Java.

• Concise : Drastically reduce the amount of boilerplate code.
• Safe : Avoid entire classes of errors such as null pointer exceptions.
• Inter-operable : Leverage existing libraries for the JVM, Android, and the browser.
• Tool Friendly : Choose any Java IDE or build from the command line.

Kotlin can be used in many of the software development environments like,

• IntelliJ- IDEA
• Android Studio
• Eclipse
• Compiler and many more

Kotlin is regarded as the programming language for JVM, Android, Browser, Native, etc. One of the biggest advantage of Kotlin is that, it can be used along with existing Java code. That is, you don’t have to re-write the entire code again. You can continue with Kotlin from where you have left using Java.

Kotlin is designed to interoperate fully with Java, and the JVM version of its standard library depends on the Java Class Library, but type inference allows its syntax to be more concise. Kotlin mainly targets the JVM, but also compiles to JavaScript or native code (via LLVM). Kotlin is sponsored by JetBrains and Google through the Kotlin Foundation.

Kotlin is officially supported by Google for mobile development on Android. Since the release of Android Studio 3.0 in October 2017, Kotlin is included as an alternative to the standard Java compiler. The Android Kotlin compiler lets the user choose between targeting Java 6 or Java 8 compatible bytecode.

Learning Kotlin

There are a lot of resources available online and offline to learn Kotlin. Four of them has been listed down below.

1) Udacity- Kotlin Bootcamp

It provides a 1–2 weeks bootcamp for programmers which covers the basics of kotlin. Access it here — Bootcamp

2) Kotlin for Android Programmers

This course is also provided by Udacity. It’s a one week intermediate level course which covers the basics of android app development. Access the course here Kotlin course

3) MINDORKS

Mindorks is India’s one of the largest android teaching platforms which aims to create a number of valuable android developers. They have two boot camps, one for beginners and one for intermediate level developers.

There is a pleasant news for everyone. As a contribution to the community of android developers and learners, they are going to teach Kotlin to everyone for free. They are going to teach it through their Youtube Channel

This is what they stated recently :

Android community has given us everything. Now, it’s time to give back to the community. Here is a very small contribution from our side. We will teach Kotlin for free to the world.

The program will start from April 2019 and they are asking enthusiasts to enroll to it by subscribing to their Youtube Channel. Subscribe to the channel and learn it for free.

4) Kotlin Tutorials

Kotlin also provides a lot of learning materials and tutorials for everyone for free. It’s available on their website. You can access the resources/documents here — Kotlin Resources.

These are some of the resources for learning Kotlin. Hope this helps you to learn Kotlin.

Learn Kotlin for Free was originally published in Hacker Noon on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.