What You Need to Know About Kotlin in Action

Kotlin in Action downloads 133

If you are a Java developer who wants to learn a modern and concise programming language that runs on the JVM, you might have heard of Kotlin. Kotlin is a general-purpose, statically typed language that combines object-oriented and functional paradigms. It offers many features that make coding easier and more enjoyable, such as null safety, data classes, extension functions, coroutines, and more. It also has seamless interoperability with Java, which means you can use existing Java libraries and frameworks with Kotlin code.

Kotlin in Action downloads 133

One of the best ways to learn Kotlin is by reading Kotlin in Action, a comprehensive guide to the language written by its core developers. This book covers everything you need to know about Kotlin, from the basics to the advanced topics. It also provides practical examples and exercises that help you apply what you learn to real-world scenarios.

In this article, we will give you an overview of what Kotlin in Action is about, why it is popular among developers, and how you can download it in different formats. We will also answer some frequently asked questions about the book and Kotlin in general.

What is Kotlin?

Kotlin is a programming language that was created by JetBrains, a software company that develops tools for developers. JetBrains started working on Kotlin in 2010 as an alternative to Java for their own products. They wanted a language that was concise, expressive, safe, pragmatic, and compatible with Java.

Kotlin was officially released in 2016 as an open-source project under the Apache 2 license. Since then, it has gained popularity among developers around the world. According to the Stack Overflow Developer Survey 2021, Kotlin is the fourth most loved programming language among developers.

Kotlin is also the preferred language for Android development, as announced by Google in 2019. Kotlin has many features that make Android development easier and more enjoyable, such as null safety, coroutines, data classes, and more. Kotlin also supports multiplatform development, which means you can write code that runs on different platforms, such as JVM, Android, iOS, JavaScript, and native.

Why use Kotlin?

Kotlin has many benefits that make it a great choice for various types of applications, such as web, mobile, desktop, server-side, and embedded. Here are some of the main reasons why you should use Kotlin:

• Concise and expressive: Kotlin reduces the amount of boilerplate code you have to write compared to Java. It also has a clear and concise syntax that makes your code more readable and maintainable. For example, you can create a data class with a single line of code in Kotlin, while in Java you would have to write getters, setters, equals, hashCode, toString, and more.

• Safe and reliable: Kotlin helps you avoid common errors and bugs that can cause crashes or unexpected behavior in your applications. For example, Kotlin has null safety, which means it prevents null pointer exceptions at compile time. It also has smart casts, which means it automatically casts variables to the appropriate type when needed.

• Interoperable and compatible: Kotlin works seamlessly with Java code and libraries, which means you can use existing Java frameworks and tools with Kotlin code. You can also mix Kotlin and Java code in the same project without any issues. This makes it easy to migrate your existing Java codebase to Kotlin gradually or use Kotlin for new features.

• Pragmatic and versatile: Kotlin is a general-purpose language that can be used for various types of applications and domains. It supports multiple programming paradigms, such as object-oriented, functional, procedural, and declarative. It also has many features that make coding easier and more fun, such as lambdas, extensions, infix functions, DSLs, coroutines, and more.

• Supported and evolving: Kotlin is backed by JetBrains, Google, and a large community of developers who contribute to its development and improvement. Kotlin is constantly updated with new features and enhancements that make it more powerful and user-friendly. You can also find many resources and tutorials online that help you learn and master Kotlin.

Kotlin vs Java

Kotlin and Java are both programming languages that run on the JVM (Java Virtual Machine), which means they can run on any platform that supports Java. However, they have many differences in terms of syntax, performance, interoperability, and tooling. Here are some of the main differences between Kotlin and Java:

Kotlin

Java

Syntax is concise and expressive

Syntax is verbose and repetitive

Supports null safety

Does not support null safety

Supports coroutines for concurrency

Does not support coroutines for concurrency

Supports data classes for immutable data

Does not support data classes for immutable data

Supports extension functions for adding functionality to existing classes

Does not support extension functions for adding functionality to existing classes

Supports infix functions for creating DSLs (Domain Specific Languages)

Does not support infix functions for creating DSLs (Domain Specific Languages)

Supports operator overloading for customizing the behavior of operators

Does not support operator overloading for customizing the behavior of operators

Supports smart casts for automatic type casting

Does not support smart casts for automatic type casting

Supports multiplatform development for JVM, Android, iOS, JavaScript, and native

Does not support multiplatform development for JVM, Android, iOS, JavaScript, and native

What is Kotlin in Action?

Kotlin in Action is a book that teaches you how to use the Kotlin language for production-quality applications. It is written by Roman Elizarov, Svetlana Isakova, Sebastian Aigner, and Dmitry Jemerov, who are all members of the Kotlin team at JetBrains. They share their unique insights and experience with the language, along with practical techniques and hands-on examples.

What does the book cover?

Kotlin in Action covers everything you need to know about Kotlin, from the basics to the advanced topics. It also provides practical examples and exercises that help you apply what you learn to real-world scenarios. The book is divided into 12 chapters, each covering a different aspect of the language. Here are the main topics and chapters of the book:

Kotlin fundamentals

This chapter introduces you to the basic syntax and features of Kotlin, such as statements, functions, classes, types, null safety, and more. You will learn how to write simple Kotlin programs and how to use Kotlin REPL (Read-Eval-Print Loop) for interactive coding.

Functional programming in Kotlin

This chapter teaches you how to use functional programming concepts and techniques in Kotlin, such as lambdas, collections, higher-order functions, lazy evaluation, and more. You will learn how to write concise and expressive code that can be easily reused and tested.

The Kotlin standard library and out-of-the-box features

This chapter shows you how to use the Kotlin standard library and its out-of-the-box features, such as extensions, delegates, ranges, sequences, regex, serialization, and more. You will learn how to leverage these features to simplify your code and enhance its functionality.

Writing clean and idiomatic code with Kotlin

This chapter guides you on how to write clean and idiomatic code with Kotlin, following the best practices and conventions of the language. You will learn how to use operators, infix functions, DSLs (Domain Specific Languages), and more to make your code more readable and maintainable.

Combining Kotlin and Java

This chapter explains how to combine Kotlin and Java code in the same project, taking advantage of their interoperability and compatibility. You will learn how to use annotations, generics, reflection, and more to make your Kotlin code work seamlessly with Java code and libraries.

Kotlin concurrency and coroutines

This chapter explores how to use Kotlin concurrency and coroutines for writing asynchronous and parallel code that can handle multiple tasks efficiently and elegantly. You will learn how to use threads, executors, futures, async/await, channels, flows, and more to create concurrent applications that are scalable and robust.

Who is the book for?

Kotlin in Action is a book for developers who want to learn Kotlin or improve their skills with the language. The book assumes that you have some experience with Java or another OO (Object-Oriented) language. However, you don't need to be an expert in Java or Kotlin to follow the book. The book explains everything in a clear and accessible way, with plenty of examples and exercises.

Kotlin in Action is also a book for developers who want to use Kotlin for various types of applications, such as web, mobile, desktop, server-side, and embedded. The book covers all the aspects of the language that are relevant for different domains and platforms. The book also shows you how to use Kotlin with popular frameworks and tools, such as Spring, Android, Gradle, IntelliJ IDEA, and more.

How to download Kotlin in Action?

Kotlin in Action is available in different formats, such as eBook, print, and liveBook. You can download or order the book from various sources, depending on your preference and convenience. Here are some of the options for getting the book:

eBook format

If you prefer reading books on your computer, tablet, or smartphone, you can buy the eBook format of Kotlin in Action from Manning or other platforms. The eBook format comes in DRM-free Kindle, ePub, and PDF formats that you can download and read on any device. The eBook format also includes liveBook, which is an enhanced eBook format accessible from any web browser.

You can buy the eBook format of Kotlin in Action from Manning for $43.19 with a 10% discount if you use this link. You can also buy the eBook format from other platforms, such as Amazon, Google Play Books, Apple Books, and more.

Print format

If you prefer reading books on paper, you can order the print format of Kotlin in Action from Manning or other retailers. The print format is a high-quality paperback book that you can hold and flip through. The print format also includes a free eBook format that you can download and access from any device.

You can order the print format of Kotlin in Action from Manning for $53.99 with a 10% discount if you use this link. You can also order the print format from other retailers, such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, and more.

LiveBook format

If you want to access the book from any web browser, you can use the liveBook format of Kotlin in Action. The liveBook format is an interactive and dynamic version of the book that lets you read, search, annotate, and run code examples online. The liveBook format also lets you access updates and corrections as they are made by the authors.

You can access the liveBook format of Kotlin in Action for free with a Manning subscription that gives you unlimited access to all Manning content. You can also access the liveBook format for free if you buy the eBook or print format of the book from Manning.

Conclusion and FAQs

Kotlin in Action is a comprehensive and practical guide to the Kotlin language written by its core developers. It covers everything you need to know about Kotlin, from the basics to the advanced topics. It also provides practical examples and exercises that help you apply what you learn to real-world scenarios. Whether you are a beginner or an expert, Kotlin in Action will help you master Kotlin and use it for various types of applications.

Here are some frequently asked questions about the book and Kotlin:

Q: How long does it take to read Kotlin in Action?

A: It depends on your reading speed and level of experience with Kotlin. However, a rough estimate is that it takes about 20 hours to read the whole book, assuming you spend an average of 30 minutes per chapter.

Q: How can I get the code examples and exercises from the book?

A: You can download the code examples and exercises from the book from this GitHub repository. You can also run the code examples online using the liveBook format of the book.

Q: How can I get help or feedback on the book or Kotlin?

A: You can get help or feedback on the book or Kotlin from various sources, such as:

• The Manning forum for the book, where you can ask questions, report errors, or share your thoughts with the authors and other readers.

• The Kotlin Slack channel, where you can chat with other Kotlin developers and get help or advice on any Kotlin-related topic.

• The Stack Overflow website, where you can ask or answer questions about Kotlin using the kotlin tag.

• The Kotlin community website, where you can find various resources and events related to Kotlin, such as blogs, podcasts, meetups, conferences, and more.

Q: How can I learn more about Kotlin after reading the book?

A: You can learn more about Kotlin after reading the book by following these steps:

• Practice what you learned by applying it to your own projects or challenges.

• Explore more features and topics of Kotlin that are not covered by the book, such as multiplatform development, scripting, testing, etc.

• Keep up with the latest news and updates on Kotlin by following its official website, blog, Twitter, YouTube, etc.

• Join the Kotlin community and interact with other Kotlin developers by participating in forums, chats, meetups, conferences, etc.

Q: How can I contribute to Kotlin or its ecosystem?

A: You can contribute to Kotlin or its ecosystem by doing any of these things:

• Report bugs or suggest improvements on the Kotlin issue tracker.

• Submit pull requests or review code on the Kotlin GitHub repository.

• Create or contribute to libraries, frameworks, tools, or plugins that use or support Kotlin.

• Write or share articles, tutorials, books, videos, podcasts, or courses that teach or promote Kotlin.

• Help other Kotlin developers by answering questions, providing feedback, or mentoring.

I hope you enjoyed reading this article and learned something new about Kotlin and Kotlin in Action. If you are interested in downloading the book, you can use this link to get a 10% discount. Happy coding! 71b2f0854b