Kotlin for Java Developers from Coursera

The Kotlin programming language is a modern language that gives you more power for your everyday tasks. Kotlin is concise, safe, pragmatic, and focused on interoperability with Java code. It can be used almost everywhere Java is used today: for server-side development, Android apps, and much more. Kotlin is 100% compatible with all existing Java frameworks, and has good tooling support. It’s a pragmatic language with a very low learning curve, and can be quickly grasped by Java developers. Kotlin code might be compiled not only to JVM bytecode but to JavaScript and Native code as well, but this course is focused on Kotlin/JVM.

This course aims to share with you the power and the beauty of Kotlin. We'll have a basic overview of the language, as well as a discussion of many corner cases, especially concerning Java interoperability. The course is based on your Java experience; it shows the similarities between the two languages and focuses on what's going to be different.

Note that this course won't cover the programming fundamentals. We'll discuss: basic syntax, nullability, functional programming with Kotlin, object-oriented programming with Kotlin, the power of the Kotlin standard library, and Java interoperability.

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction

Starting up with Kotlin

Nullability, Functional Programming

Properties, OOP, Conventions

Sequences, Lambdas with Receiver, Types

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Provides a basic overview of the Kotlin language, as well as a discussion of many corner cases

Examines how Kotlin interoperates with Java code

Suitable for Java developers seeking to leverage Kotlin within their existing Java frameworks

Introduces Kotlin's features and capabilities, such as nullability, functional programming, and the Kotlin Standard Library

Applicable to various domains, including server-side development and Android apps

Taught by instructors with expertise in Kotlin

Reviews summary

Kotlin for java programmers

learners say this is a comprehensive introduction to Kotlin, especially for those familiar with Java. Assignments are well-designed and challenging, covering a range of Kotlin concepts and features like data classes, functional programming, and extensions. Many appreciate that the instructors are the creators of Kotlin, providing deep insights and practical comparisons to Java. However, some note that the instructor's accent can be difficult to understand, and that assignments can be time-consuming and require additional research outside the course materials.

Kotlin is presented alongside Java, highlighting similarities and differences to help Java developers transition smoothly.

"This course covers several important features of Kotlin, alongside some high quality assignments to test your understanding."

"I am looking forward to the Kotlin course to follow!"

Assignments are designed to test understanding of Kotlin concepts and push learners to apply them in practical scenarios.

"Assignments are well-designed as well, with emphasis on the mixed programming paradigm (OO & FP)."

"It really helps a lot to acquire new language much faster when you learn based on your existing knowledge of another language."

The course is taught by the creators of Kotlin, providing a unique understanding of the language and insights into its design.

"taught directly by the creators of Kotlin themselves."

"The programming assignments are great and challenging."

Assignments can be time-consuming and require additional research and exploration outside the provided course materials.

"I also played the actual game implementation provided and it works the same way e.g. when you shuffle space is at random position."

"The course is nice and quite informative, but it is almost impossible to understand what the presenter is saying."

The instructor's accent can be challenging for some learners to understand, especially for non-native English speakers.

"The only slightly negative aspect are on my opinion the assignments: sometime are not clear enough and the ones for week4 and week5 could have been easier with a different object definition"

"I think that it is an advanced course and not not a beginner/medium as they say."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Kotlin for Java Developers with these activities:

Kotlin Tutorial for Beginners Course

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This tutorial is provided by Google to help solidify foundational knowledge in Kotlin. It teaches proper syntax, variables, types, control flow, and more.

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Review Prerequisites
Start Tutorial
Complete the assignments

Kotlin Programming Tutorial

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In-depth tutorial that covers topics such as variables, data types, arrays, and OOP in Kotlin.

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Review Prerequisites
Start Tutorial
Complete the assignments

Codecademy: Kotlin Functions and Lambdas

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Learn how to use functions and lambdas to simplify and improve the readability of your Kotlin code.

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Review Prerequisites
Start Tutorial
Complete the assignments

Five other activities

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Effective Kotlin: Learning the Kotlin Language

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This book will help you enhance your knowledge of advanced Kotlin topics, such as reflection, delegates, lazy evaluation, and operator overloading..

View Kotlin in Action, Second Edition on Amazon

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Read section 2.4: Kotlin Standard Library
Read section 3.5 Kotlin Reflection

Kotlin Koans

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These puzzles are designed to test your knowledge of Kotlin syntax and semantics, providing an engaging and challenging way to deepen your understanding of the language.

Browse courses on Kotlin

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Review Prerequisites
Start Tutorial
Complete all the puzzles

Kotlin Programming Challenges

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Practice drills are a great way to test your knowledge and solidify your understanding of Kotlin.

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Review the list of challenges
Start solving the challenges

Kotlin Blog Post

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Writing a blog post about Kotlin will help you improve your understanding of the language and share your knowledge with others.

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Choose a topic related to Kotlin
Write a blog post that is well-written and informative
Publish your blog post

Kotlin Application Project

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Working on a project will give you the opportunity to apply your knowledge of Kotlin and build something practical.

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Brainstorm an idea for a project
Create a plan for your project
Start coding your project
Test and debug your project
Deploy your project

Career center

Learners who complete Kotlin for Java Developers will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Android Developer

As an Android Developer, you will design and develop mobile applications for the Android platform. You will use your knowledge of Kotlin, a modern programming language, to create efficient and user-friendly apps. This course will provide you with a solid foundation in Kotlin, including its basic syntax, nullability, functional programming, and object-oriented programming.

See salaries and explore the career path for Android Developer

Java Developer

As a Java Developer, you will use your knowledge of Kotlin, a modern programming language that is 100% compatible with Java, to develop and maintain software applications. This course will introduce you to the basics of Kotlin, including its syntax, nullability, and functional programming, and will provide you with valuable insights into how you can use Kotlin to enhance your Java development skills.

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Software Engineer

As a Software Engineer, you will be responsible for developing, maintaining, and improving software systems. This course will provide you with a valuable introduction to Kotlin, a modern programming language that gives you more power for your everyday tasks. It will cover the basics of Kotlin, such as its syntax, nullability, and functional programming, and will help you understand how Kotlin can be used to develop robust and efficient software solutions.

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Web Developer

As a Web Developer, you will be responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining websites and web applications. This course will provide you with the foundational knowledge you need to work with Kotlin, a modern programming language that can be used for both server-side and client-side development. You will learn about Kotlin's basic syntax, nullability, and functional programming, and you will gain insights into how Kotlin can be used to build dynamic and interactive web applications.

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Mobile Developer

As a Mobile Developer, you will be responsible for developing and maintaining mobile applications for a variety of platforms, including Android and iOS. This course will provide you with a solid foundation in Kotlin, a modern programming language that is well-suited for mobile development. You will learn about Kotlin's basic syntax, nullability, and functional programming, and you will gain insights into how Kotlin can be used to build efficient and user-friendly mobile apps.

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Back-End Developer

As a Back-End Developer, you will be responsible for developing and maintaining the server-side of web applications. This course will provide you with a solid foundation in Kotlin, a modern programming language that is well-suited for back-end development. You will learn about Kotlin's basic syntax, nullability, and functional programming, and you will gain insights into how Kotlin can be used to build robust and scalable back-end systems.

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Front-End Developer

As a Front-End Developer, you will be responsible for designing and developing the user interface of web applications. This course will provide you with a valuable introduction to Kotlin, a modern programming language that can be used for both server-side and client-side development. You will learn about Kotlin's basic syntax, nullability, and functional programming, and you will gain insights into how Kotlin can be used to build dynamic and interactive front-end applications.

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Full-Stack Developer

As a Full-Stack Developer, you will be responsible for developing and maintaining both the front-end and back-end of web applications. This course will provide you with a comprehensive introduction to Kotlin, a modern programming language that can be used for both server-side and client-side development. You will learn about Kotlin's basic syntax, nullability, and functional programming, and you will gain insights into how Kotlin can be used to build robust and scalable full-stack applications.

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Data Scientist

As a Data Scientist, you will be responsible for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data to help businesses make informed decisions. This course will provide you with a valuable introduction to Kotlin, a modern programming language that is well-suited for data science tasks. You will learn about Kotlin's basic syntax, nullability, and functional programming, and you will gain insights into how Kotlin can be used to build efficient and scalable data science pipelines.

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Machine Learning Engineer

As a Machine Learning Engineer, you will be responsible for developing and deploying machine learning models to help businesses solve complex problems. This course will provide you with a valuable introduction to Kotlin, a modern programming language that is well-suited for machine learning tasks. You will learn about Kotlin's basic syntax, nullability, and functional programming, and you will gain insights into how Kotlin can be used to build efficient and scalable machine learning models.

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Artificial Intelligence Engineer

As an Artificial Intelligence Engineer, you will be responsible for developing and deploying artificial intelligence systems to help businesses solve complex problems. This course will provide you with a valuable introduction to Kotlin, a modern programming language that is well-suited for artificial intelligence tasks. You will learn about Kotlin's basic syntax, nullability, and functional programming, and you will gain insights into how Kotlin can be used to build efficient and scalable artificial intelligence systems.

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Data Analyst

As a Data Analyst, you will be responsible for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data to help businesses make informed decisions. This course will provide you with a valuable introduction to Kotlin, a modern programming language that is well-suited for data analysis tasks. You will learn about Kotlin's basic syntax, nullability, and functional programming, and you will gain insights into how Kotlin can be used to build efficient and scalable data analysis pipelines.

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Business Analyst

As a Business Analyst, you will be responsible for analyzing business processes and identifying opportunities for improvement. This course will provide you with a valuable introduction to Kotlin, a modern programming language that is well-suited for business analysis tasks. You will learn about Kotlin's basic syntax, nullability, and functional programming, and you will gain insights into how Kotlin can be used to build efficient and scalable business analysis tools.

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Project Manager

As a Project Manager, you will be responsible for planning, executing, and controlling projects to ensure their successful completion. This course will provide you with a valuable introduction to Kotlin, a modern programming language that is well-suited for project management tasks. You will learn about Kotlin's basic syntax, nullability, and functional programming, and you will gain insights into how Kotlin can be used to build efficient and scalable project management tools.

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Technical Writer

As a Technical Writer, you will be responsible for creating and maintaining technical documentation for software products. This course will provide you with a valuable introduction to Kotlin, a modern programming language that is well-suited for technical writing tasks. You will learn about Kotlin's basic syntax, nullability, and functional programming, and you will gain insights into how Kotlin can be used to build efficient and scalable technical documentation.

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