GirishKotlin is a modern programming language created by Jetbrains to make Android development easier. As an alternative to Java, it runs on Java Virtual Machine or JVM. In 2017, Google made Kotlin the official programming language for the Android platform. It signifies the importance of the programming language for the future. You are in good company if you are an Android developer interested in Kotlin. According to Google, over 60% of professional developers use Kotlin as it helps them boost productivity, code safety, and developer satisfaction.
To help you learn everything about the languages, we have put together this list of Kotlin resources. This toolkit will be the ultimate resource for learning the language and preparing for interviews.
Android foundations: While you must learn the basics of Kotlin, some degree of understanding and familiarity with Java will help. During some interviews, even hiring managers ask general Android development questions. You must understand basic Android programming concepts like collection framework, concurrency and multithreading, generics, and functional programming.
Apart from Kotlin and Java, you have to be aware of design layouts that are created in XML. Android Studio enables you to generate XML layouts and write business logic in an integrated environment. Employers expect Kotlin developers to have good knowledge of Android Studio.
Google Web Toolkit: GWT is one of the most widely used open-source sets of tools that Android developers use to create and maintain the JavaScript front-end applications in Java. As a Kotlin developer, you will use GWT tools to create JavaScript functionality for your applications, such as asynchronous remote procedure calls, bookmarking, UI abstraction, history management, and internationalization. Understanding these tools and their functionalities will help you improve your programming.
Knowledge of databases: The ability to create high-performance Android applications significantly depends on their interaction with the databases in the backend. While there are several databases that Android developers can work with, most Kotlin app developers prefer SQL for their applications. A decent experience with MySQL is a must for Kotlin developers.
Kotlin Android Interview Questions
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Official resources
Online courses and tutorials for Kotlin developers
The Complete Android + Kotlin developer course
An ideal beginner’s course from Udemy will teach you how to use Kotlin for Android app development like a pro. Apart from the basics of the language and framework, it teaches you the latest Android APIs and services through building real-world mobile applications.
Kotlin for Beginners: Learn Programming with Kotlin
Another excellent Udemy course to learn Kotlin is Kotlin for Beginners, which teaches more advanced programming language concepts to beginners. If you are familiar with Java, you will benefit significantly from this Kotlin course that teaches variables and nullable types, loops, object orientation, and conditionals.
Kotlin Bootcamp for Programmers by Google
Google designs this course to help programmers learn Kotlin within two weeks. This is the right online course if you are an experienced developer who wants to try Kotlin for Android app development.
For those who have some programming experience, this LinkedIn Learning Kotlin course will provide a comprehensive overview of the language. You learn how to set up a project, create code with rudimentary Kotlin syntax, and manage databases in the course.
If you are an experienced Android developer creating apps with Java and want to try your hands at Kotlin or convert your App from Java to Kotlin, this free, week-long course from Udacity will help you. It is not a beginner’s level course, so you have to be familiar with Android development and tools to benefit from this course.
Getting started with Kotlin for Android app development is more manageable, but for creating robust apps, you need to know how to use Coroutines to simplify the app code and manage background threads. Google Developers provide this course for free to help developers learn this advanced concept.
Books for Kotlin developers
Atomic Kotlin: A great Kotlin resource for both beginners and experienced programmers. It’s a free e-Book from multi-award-winning author Bruce Eckel.
Head First Kotlin: For a complete introduction to Kotlin.
Kotlin in Action: Teaches you how to create production-quality applications with Kotlin.
Kotlin Programming: The Big Nerd Ranch Guide: Learn the elegant style and features of Kotlin through carefully considered examples.
Online Communities for Kotlin Developers
Podcasts for Kotlin Developers
Empathy: When you empathize with your team or clients, you fully understand their problems and are in a better position to assist them in overcoming their challenges. Empathy also makes it easier to communicate better with other developers and not appear arrogant when you dismiss or counter their suggestions.
Communication: Developers work as part of a team. Communication is a soft skill that enables them to express themselves effectively, whether convincing a client or presenting an idea. Speak with conviction even when you are unsure of yourself. That’s how you make people pay more attention to your words. Listening is also essential for positive communication; the best communicators spend more time listening and talking less. Also, don’t interrupt a teammate or anyone when they are speaking. Wait until they have talked to chime in with your thoughts.
Patience: Being a developer is challenging. You will have assignments to solve a problem, and seldom will you be able to do it in a single try. Patience and perseverance are two essential virtues of great developers. They are patient and can keep calm even under strenuous working conditions.
Open-mindedness: To inspire innovation and readily accept new ideas, you need open-mindedness. Be open to new ideas and do not dismiss them without trying them. That is how you learn, by exploring new pathways to solve problems.
Here are some additional resources to learn about important developer soft skills:
7 Most valuable soft skills of exceptional software engineers
6 soft skills that still impress employers in 2022
5 tips for presenting new ideas as a software developer
How soft skills transitioned to become the new power skills
5 Time management tips for software developers
Conclusion
Kotlin has become the de facto programming language for Android app development. As Google has designated it as the official language for the Android platform, industry-wide adoption of Kotlin is surging. This Kotlin developer tool is the ultimate resource for developers to learn the language and prepare for job interviews.
Our tech experts collated the Kotlin resources listed in this developer toolkit at Talent500. We are a platform for developers to find the best remote work opportunities. Join us today and get hired by some of the world’s leading tech companies.
Afreen Khalfe
Sumit Malviya
Neel Vithlani
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