Kotlin is a statically typed programming language that runs on the Java Virtual Machine and can also be compiled to JavaScript source code. Kotlin is developed by JetBrains.
To develop in Kotlin, you need the following:
- A computer with an Internet connection
- A Kotlin development environment, such as IntelliJ IDEA, Android Studio, or Eclipse
- A JDK (Java Development Kit)
- Go to the IntelliJ IDEA website and download the latest version.
- Follow the instructions to install IntelliJ IDEA.
- Once IntelliJ IDEA is installed, open the program and select Create New Project.
- In the New Project window, select Kotlin/JVM from the list of project types and click Next.
- In the Project SDK field, select the JDK you have installed and click Next.
- In the Project Name field, enter a name for your project and click Finish.
¶ Android Studio
- Go to the Android Studio website and download the latest version.
- Follow the instructions to install Android Studio.
- Once Android Studio is installed, open the program and select Create New Project.
- In the New Project window, select Kotlin/JVM from the list of project types and click Next.
- In the Project SDK field, select the JDK you have installed and click Next.
- In the Project Name field, enter a name for your project and click Finish.
- Go to the Eclipse website and download the latest version.
- Follow the instructions to install Eclipse.
- Once Eclipse is installed, open the program and select File > New > Project.
- In the New Project window, select Kotlin/JVM from the list of project types and click Next.
- In the Project SDK field, select the JDK you have installed and click Next.
- In the Project Name field, enter a name for your project and click Finish.
Once you have installed the Kotlin development environment of your choice, you can create a Kotlin project.
- In IntelliJ IDEA, select File > New > Project.
- In the New Project window, select Kotlin/JVM from the list of project types and click Next.
- In the Project SDK field, select the JDK you have installed and click Next.
- In the Project Name field, enter a name for your project and click Finish.
¶ Android Studio
- In Android Studio, select File > New > Project.
- In the New Project window, select Kotlin/JVM from the list of project types and click Next.
- In the Project SDK field, select the JDK you have installed and click Next.
- In the Project Name field, enter a name for your project and click Finish.
- In Eclipse, select File > New > Project.
- In the New Project window, select Kotlin/JVM from the list of project types and click Next.
- In the Project SDK field, select the JDK you have installed and click Next.
- In the Project Name field, enter a name for your project and click Finish.
Once you have created a Kotlin project, you can create a Kotlin class.
- In IntelliJ IDEA, select File > New > Kotlin File/Class.
- In the New Kotlin File/Class window, enter a name for your Kotlin class and click OK.
¶ Android Studio
- In Android Studio, select File > New > Kotlin File/Class.
- In the New Kotlin File/Class window, enter a name for your Kotlin class and click OK.
- In Eclipse, select File > New > Kotlin File/Class.
- In the New Kotlin File/Class window, enter a name for your Kotlin class and click OK.
A Kotlin package is a namespace that organizes Kotlin classes and objects. Packages are typically used to group related classes and objects together.
- In IntelliJ IDEA, select File > New > Package.
- In the New Package window, enter a name for your Kotlin package and click OK.
¶ Android Studio
- In Android Studio, select File > New > Package.
- In the New Package window, enter a name for your Kotlin package and click OK.
- In Eclipse, select File > New > Package.
- In the New Package window, enter a name for your Kotlin package and click OK.
Kotlin objects are singleton classes. A Kotlin object is a class that can have only one instance. Kotlin objects can contain properties and functions.
- In IntelliJ IDEA, select File > New > Kotlin File/Class.
- In the New Kotlin File/Class window, enter a name for your Kotlin object and click OK.
¶ Android Studio
- In Android Studio, select File > New > Kotlin File/Class.
- In the New Kotlin File/Class window, enter a name for your Kotlin object and click OK.
- In Eclipse, select File > New > Kotlin File/Class.
- In the New Kotlin File/Class window, enter a name for your Kotlin object and click OK.
A Kotlin function is a block of code that takes one or more parameters and returns a value. Functions can be defined inside a Kotlin class, object, or package.
- In IntelliJ IDEA, select File > New > Kotlin File/Class.
- In the New Kotlin File/Class window, enter a name for your Kotlin function and click OK.
¶ Android Studio
- In Android Studio, select File > New > Kotlin File/Class.
- In the New Kotlin File/Class window, enter a name for your Kotlin function and click OK.
- In Eclipse, select File > New > Kotlin File/Class.
- In the New Kotlin File/Class window, enter a name for your Kotlin function and click OK.
A Kotlin property is a variable that is associated with a class, object, or package. Properties can be mutable (changeable) or immutable (unchangeable).
- In IntelliJ IDEA, select File > New > Kotlin File/Class.
- In the New Kotlin File/Class window, enter a name for your Kotlin property and click OK.
¶ Android Studio
- In Android Studio, select File > New > Kotlin File/Class.
- In the New Kotlin File/Class window, enter a name for your Kotlin property and click OK.
- In Eclipse, select File > New > Kotlin File/Class.
- In the New Kotlin File/Class window, enter a name for your Kotlin property and click OK.
In this article, you learned how to set up your Kotlin development environment. You also learned how to create a Kotlin project, class, package, object, function, and property.