Best programming languages for Android application development

Danish Qazi

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Best Programming Languages for Android App Development

We cannot deny that Android is the most popular operating system for mobile devices. Recently, Google announced that there are more than 2 billion monthly active Android users. This means that Android apps are in high demand. Businesses are looking for ways to connect with their customers who own Android smartphones, and one way is through apps. This may seem like good news for programmers.

If you are planning to become an Android developer (developer), you can be sure that your skills will be used a lot in this field. The biggest questions you might ask yourself are: What programming languages should I use to develop Android apps? What tools are needed for Android programming? The answers to these questions are in this article. Top 3 programming languages and tools needed for Android app development.

Best Programming Languages for Android App Development

  1. JAVA
Android OS is based on Java. This automatically makes Java the most popular programming language for Android application development. There are several reasons why most developers choose Java for their Android app. Java's core is easy to learn, so it attracts the attention of those who want to learn Android programming.

Even as a language for Android application development, Java is still an object-oriented language. It can support this API and work seamlessly on multiple platforms. To use Java programming language for Android application development, you should choose either Android Studio or Eclipse IDE.

Android Studio is a tool built on JetBrains' IntelliJ IDEA and designed specifically for Android development. Eclipse was the first IDE for Android development and is still used by many developers. It is not specifically designed for developing android apps as it is used for multiple programming languages and multiple purposes.

  • Kotlin
In 2017, Google announced that Kotlin would be the official programming language for Android. Above all, Kotlin overcomes Java's weaknesses. This can be seen in many different ways. For example, Kotlin is quite concise because it uses boilerplate code. Kotlin is more secure than Java as it lacks bugs. This means you won't encounter common errors like Null Pointer in Kotlin. The security feature is enhanced by the easy readability of Kotlin codes. Someone can easily go through the code and spot a bug.

  • Java Vs Kotlin
In fact, Java is a great programming language, but it is not specifically designed for Android development. Java can be used to develop any application, including system software, enterprise applications, and cross-platform applications. If you're willing to spend time learning a language that will make you a multi-platform developer, Java definitely wins.

On the other hand, there is Kotlin, a language developed by Jetbrain (the developer of Android Studio) specifically for developing android applications with a simple syntax. Due to its simplicity and readability, Kotlin can increase productivity. You can get more done in less time because you don't have to spend a lot of time fixing mistakes.

  • Javascript (with HTML5 + CSS3)
It may come as a surprise, but believe it or not, you can develop Android apps using HTML5, Javascript, and CSS3. This is a great option for web developers who want to become Android developers. Android applications developed by Javascript are portable and scalable. Compatible with any OS including iOS and Windows. In general, applications are lightweight and feature-limited.

Before developing an Android application using HTML5 and Javascript, you need to choose a suitable framework. Frameworks consist of code intended to be used for specific operating systems. Some of these frameworks include Apache Cordova, PhoneGap, and React Native.

Apache Cordova is more of a command-line interface to the Node.js runtime. To use Cordova for Android application development, you should be well versed in the command line interface. PhoneGap is a tool developed by Adobe Inc. for developing hybrid cross-platform applications and runs on the Cordova engine. But it deals with the free development of only one project at a time. For more projects, you should choose a paid program. PhoneGap is basically Cordova with some graphical application options provided by Adobe. React native is a framework developed by Facebook for developing hybrid applications using the ReactJS javascript framework.

If you are a MEAN stack developer (developer), it is very easy to build Android apps using Javascript frameworks like AngularJS, VueJS or ReactJS.

Conclusion

If you plan to become an Android developer, any of these three programming languages will serve you well. Java is an option for more advanced and hardcore programmers, while kotlin should only be an option for beginners who want to become an Android developer. The third option is a bonus due to the universal applicability of HTML, Javascript, and CSS for web development.
 
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