Kotlin Courses for Java Developers: Top 6 Picks for 2023
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Kotlin is rapidly gaining traction among developers, particularly for those involved in Android and Java programming. If you’re eager to dive into this modern language, you’ve arrived at the right destination. Previously, I have discussed the best free Kotlin and Android development courses, and now I’m excited to present a curated list of the top Kotlin courses tailored specifically for Java and Android developers.
Kotlin stands out as a contemporary programming language that simplifies Android and Java development. As the official language for Android applications, it is fully compatible with Java, addressing many of Java's complexities.
Since Google declared Kotlin as the go-to language for Android development, I have received numerous inquiries from my readers regarding whether Java developers should embrace Kotlin and which language—Kotlin or Java—is more suitable for initiating Android development.
While I addressed these questions in a previous article, I continue to receive inquiries about the necessity of learning Kotlin for Java developers.
To put it candidly, being a polyglot programmer, someone who is proficient in multiple languages, is an invaluable asset. It broadens your perspective and elevates your skills as a developer. For this reason, I strongly advocate for Java developers to learn at least one additional JVM language, with Kotlin being an ideal starting point.
As the official language for Android app development, Kotlin is essential for Java developers looking to craft Android applications or promote innovative ideas to a wider audience. Even if mobile development isn’t your primary interest, learning Kotlin can significantly enhance your productivity, all while being entirely compatible with Java.
Tasks that require 100 lines of code in Java can often be accomplished in a few lines using Kotlin. The language offers features such as auto-generating getter, setter, equals, hashCode, toString, and other common methods without the need for manual coding.
Kotlin was developed by JetBrains, the creators of IntelliJ IDEA, with the aim of minimizing Java's boilerplate code while incorporating elements from functional programming. They ensured that Kotlin would maintain full compatibility with Java, allowing it to generate bytecode that runs on the JVM.
Until last year, I recommended Scala to Java developers due to its robust functional programming features, but 2023 marks a shift. This year, it’s time to learn Kotlin! I anticipate that Kotlin will soon outpace Java in Android development due to its established role as the official language.
5 Best Kotlin Courses for Beginners in 2023
In this section, I will highlight some of the premier online courses to learn Kotlin from the ground up. The courses are categorized into two groups: one focuses on Android development with Kotlin, while the other emphasizes the Kotlin programming language itself. You can select the course that aligns best with your learning goals.
#### 1. Kotlin for Java Developers
If you are a Java developer aiming to learn Kotlin and boost your career opportunities, this course is perfect for you. It leverages your existing Java skills to expedite your learning process.
I strongly encourage Java developers to familiarize themselves with Kotlin, not only for Android app development but also as a skill that will be increasingly relevant in the future.
Given that Kotlin can be used anywhere Java is applicable, and can even be invoked from Java code (and vice versa), this opens up significant opportunities for Java developers. Mastering both languages will provide a considerable edge over other programmers.
This course is straightforward and paced appropriately for experienced Java programmers. It is tailored specifically for Java developers to learn Kotlin efficiently.
Here is the link to join this Kotlin course — Kotlin for Java Developers
Sarah Eldritch, the instructor, is a seasoned Java and Kotlin developer, making her well-equipped to teach you this dynamic language swiftly. In summary, this is an ideal course for Java developers eager to master Kotlin and understand the key distinctions between the two languages. I recently enrolled in this course for only $9.99 during Udemy’s flash sale—definitely a steal!
#### 2. The Ultimate Guide to Kotlin Programming [Educative]
This course offers an excellent foundation in Kotlin, one of the most sought-after programming languages in 2023. Notably, over 50% of Android development is now conducted using Kotlin, including at companies like Uber.
In The Ultimate Guide to Kotlin Programming, you will delve deeply into Kotlin, the modern JVM language, under the guidance of Venkat Subramaniam. This course is also based on Pragmatic Programmers’ Kotlin book.
While it is a text-based, interactive course, it is suitable not just for Java developers seeking to acquire a new skill, but also for lead developers, architects, and technical managers. It covers essential concepts comprehensively.
What will you gain from this course? You will begin by exploring the differences between Java and Kotlin, specifically how Kotlin streamlines many Java programming tasks. You will learn how to work with functions and utilize collections, which are fundamental in Kotlin.
Here is the link to join this course — The Ultimate Guide to Kotlin Programming
Towards the conclusion of this interactive course, you will work with critical concepts such as lambdas, recursion, memoization (great for optimizing applications), and asynchronous programming. In the final section, you will apply your knowledge to develop an Android application—an excellent addition to your portfolio.
You can enroll in this course individually or opt for an Educative subscription (recommended) to access their extensive library of 250+ high-quality, text-based, interactive courses that cover essential skills for coding interviews, software development, and technology.
#### 3. The Complete Kotlin Developer Course
This course combines the best of both worlds, teaching you the Kotlin programming language alongside Android app development.
You will learn about variables, strings, and other data types in Kotlin, as well as essential programming constructs like conditionals, loops, maps, functions, classes, and nullables.
Created by renowned instructors Rob Percival and Nick Walter, this course is an excellent choice for learning both the basics of Kotlin and its practical application in Android development.
Here is the link to join this Kotlin course — The Complete Kotlin Developer Course
In summary, this course is a fantastic way to learn Kotlin fundamentals while also gaining practical skills for Android app development. As you progress, you should favor Kotlin over Java and explore creating JavaScript code from Kotlin.
#### 4. Kotlin for Beginners: Learn Programming With Kotlin
This course is perfect for those starting from scratch, offering a solid introduction to object-oriented programming and idiomatic Kotlin specifically for Android app development.
Beginning with the fundamentals, this course is tailored for beginners and will guide you in programming with Kotlin effectively.
You will apply what you have learned through several coding challenges, enabling you to create your own applications in Kotlin by the end of the course.
If you are an Android developer, this course can help you quickly adapt to this powerful language. Kotlin will enable you to maintain a cleaner, more expressive codebase, leverage concepts beyond Java 8, and develop more robust Android applications.
Here is the link to join this Kotlin course — Kotlin for Beginners
#### 5. Kotlin for Android: Beginner to Advanced
This comprehensive course covers everything you need to know about Android app development with Kotlin, featuring more than 100 lectures.
Whether you are a Java developer or have no prior Android experience, this course is designed to equip you with all the necessary knowledge to build apps using Kotlin.
The course not only teaches the basics of the Kotlin programming language but also covers all aspects of app development, including working with interface builders, SDKs, and essential tools.
Here is the link to join this Kotlin course — Kotlin for Android: Beginner to Advanced
You will work on real-world projects, which is the most effective way to learn a new programming language or technology.
#### 6. Android Kotlin Development Masterclass Using Android Oreo
Kotlin is a powerful, concise, and expressive programming language for Android development, and it is likely to surpass Java in this domain, making it essential for developers aiming to create applications.
This complete masterclass on Android development with Kotlin teaches you all you need to effectively write Android code using this robust language.
If you aspire to build a career in Android application development, mastering Kotlin is crucial.
Here is the link to join this top Kotlin course — Android Kotlin Development Masterclass Using Android Oreo
In conclusion, these are some of the best courses to learn Kotlin in 2023. With Kotlin being designated as the official language for Android development by Google, the demand for Kotlin developers is expected to rise. Now is the perfect time to learn Kotlin and capitalize on this trend.
For Java developers, this is an excellent opportunity to not only engage in Android development but also enhance productivity thanks to Kotlin’s streamlined syntax.
Other Java articles you may find interesting: - The 2023 Java Developer Roadmap - 10 Tools Every Java Developer Should Learn - Top 5 Courses for In-Depth Learning of Spring Boot - 10 Programming Languages to Learn in 2023 - 10 Books Java Developers Should Read in 2023 - 10 Frameworks Java and Web Developers Should Learn - 20 Libraries Java Developers Should Know - My Favorite Free Courses for In-Depth Java Learning - Top 5 Courses for Learning Spring Framework in Depth - 10 Free Courses for Learning Maven, Jenkins, and Docker for Java Developers - Official Kotlin Documentation for Java Programmers
Closing Notes
Thank you for reading until the end! Best of luck on your Kotlin journey! Although it may be challenging, following these courses will bring you closer to becoming a Kotlin Developer.
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P.S. If you’re looking for Android development courses, check out this list of Android training resources to kickstart your journey.