What is the common thought process on Java vs Kotl...
# android
s
What is the common thought process on Java vs Kotlin? If you are new to programming and want to get into Android, is it ok to learn just Kotlin or do I have to learn Java first and then learn Kotlin after I learn Java? (if I'm looking to land a job not just create my own app)
j
Id start with Kotlin. By learning Kotlin, you’ll pick up on how things work in Java along the way. The Syntax will be an adjustment but, you’d be able to work through some java after working in Kotlin for a season.
Start with these guys and you’ll learn a ton.
s
Thank you very much! I'm actually familiar with both of them. I originally started with iOS developement (it seemed simpler and quicker to delve into and get a job.) BUT I am a Pixel 2XL user and a major Android and Google fan so I've been looking at changing pace.
There are so many resources and so much iOS content online that it keeps making my choice difficult and I was nervous/unsure about learning Java && Kotlin. (iOS seems to all but ignore OBJ-C now). But everytime I grab my phone it reminds me how much I like Android.
What are your thoughts on Fuschia, do you think it's still a safe career decision to get into Android development?
a
There still seem to be many Android shops reluctant to support Kotlin because of a large legacy code base. Not even a logical argument, because of Kotlin's excellent Java interop, but I've seen it. You may want to consider that if the goal is to land a job. On the other hand, limiting your search to companies that have embraced Kotlin will probably make you much happier in the long run.
I'm very curious to see where this Fuschia discussion goes. Seems like wild conjecture at this point, but I'm really bad at calling that. I read an article that pointed out that the word "Android" was not mentioned at the Pixel3 launch -- haven't confirmed that myself. I certainly haven't seen any demand for Fuschia developers yet, though.
r
At the end of the day, Fuchsia is just an OS. They’d be shooting themselves in the foot if they didn’t support the existing app ecosystem from Android. But, like @andym mentioned, it’s all wild conjecture. They might cancel the project entirely. There hasn’t been anything official from Google about “the plan” for Fuchsia, that I’m aware of.
j
I originally started with iOS developement
Me too. Our app was built in Java a few years ago, but we’re at almost 70% Kotlin at this point. I don’t know enough about Fuschia to have an educated opinion.
r
Kotlin is def the future of Android development. And its a future that Google is steadily pushing. And Kotlin is the better. But with that being said there are still more Codebases that are written in Java .Especially Legacy code bases. I would say start with Java. You can always learn Kotlin side by side or after.
2
Once you learn Java, learning Kotlin is simple
l
Just learn Kotlin, but make sure you still learn Algorithms, Data Structures, Design Patterns, and Unit Testing / TDD