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

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

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

Seamless kotlin transition for java developers

According to learners, this course offers a highly effective transition for those already familiar with Java. Students praise the clear explanations that build upon existing Java knowledge, making it easy to grasp Kotlin's syntax and concepts like null safety, functional programming, and object-oriented features. Many found the practical examples and focus on Java interoperability particularly useful. While the course provides a strong foundation, some note that the exercises can be challenging and may require additional effort, and a few wished for deeper dives into certain advanced topics or more extensive practice problems. Overall, it's widely regarded as a well-structured and valuable resource from JetBrains.

Exercises require effort, pushing deeper understanding.

"Some of the exercises were quite challenging, which was good as it forced me to think and apply the concepts."

"While the exercises are valuable, they can be tough at times and I sometimes needed extra resources to solve them."

"The difficulty of the exercises felt like a significant step up from the lecture material, which wasn't necessarily a bad thing, but be prepared."

Provides a solid base for further learning.

"This course provides an excellent foundation for anyone looking to seriously learn Kotlin after Java."

"It covers all the fundamental differences and features you need to get started correctly."

"I feel confident diving into more advanced Kotlin topics or specific frameworks after completing this course."

Focuses on real-world use and Java interoperability.

"The examples provided were practical and demonstrated how Kotlin is used in real applications, especially concerning Java interaction."

"Understanding Java interoperability was my main goal, and this course delivered perfectly on that."

"I can immediately start using Kotlin in my Java projects after taking this course. The interop part is priceless."

"The hands-on coding examples helped reinforce the concepts and see how they apply in practice."

Explains key Kotlin features clearly and concisely.

"The explanations of nullability and functional programming concepts were crystal clear and easy to follow."

"I particularly appreciated the detailed breakdown of Kotlin's standard library functions and how to use them effectively."

"The section on properties and OOP in Kotlin was very well-structured and helped solidify my understanding."

"Concepts like lambdas with receiver were explained in a way that finally made sense to me."

Effectively bridges the gap for Java programmers.

"As a Java developer, this course made learning Kotlin incredibly easy and intuitive. It really highlighted the differences and similarities."

"The way the course leverages your existing Java knowledge is brilliant. It feels less like learning a new language and more like upgrading."

"I was productive in Kotlin surprisingly fast thanks to the way this course explained things by comparing them directly to Java."

"The course is perfectly targeted at Java developers, making the transition smooth and understandable."

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.

Browse courses on Kotlin

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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.

Browse courses on 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.

Browse courses on Kotlin

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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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

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.

See salaries and explore the career path for Back-End Developer

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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