How frequently do you check your smartphone each day? No? Well, that corresponds to an incredible 100+ times every day, at least for millennials (the rest of the population is a little wiser), according to multiple regular reports. And the reason we are so glued to our phones is the overwhelming sensory experience they deliver in our daily lives. How so, you ask? (Do I need to go on?) Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and WhatsApp.

So, to sum up, smartphone apps play a crucial role in our daily life. They can be used to network, gather knowledge, or simply have fun! And while developing a mobile application is enjoyable as well, it necessitates a bit more assistance, particularly in terms of picking the appropriate programming language.

Which Language Should You Choose?

Android’s official language is Kotlin, but there are a ton of other languages that can be utilized for app development. To assist you in making an informed choice, information is provided below concerning them.

1. Java

Initially, Java served as the official language for developing Android apps (Kotlin has since taken its place), and as a result, it is also the most popular language. Java is the most supported language by Google and is used to create many of the apps in the Play Store. Along with all of this, Java has a fantastic online community for support in case of any issues (And believe me, there will be issues!).

However, because it contains advanced concepts like constructors, null pointer exceptions, concurrency, checked exceptions, etc., Java is a challenging language for a beginner to use. Additionally, The Android Software Development Kit (SDK) raises the level of complexity!

2. Kotlin

As of 2019, Kotlin has been designated by Google as the official language for developing Android apps. Java can be substituted for Kotlin, a cross-platform programming language while creating Android apps. In 2017, it was also made available as a second “official” Java language. Kotlin utilizes the Java Virtual Machine and is compatible with Java.

The only significant difference is that Kotlin does away with some of Java’s unnecessary features, such as null pointer exceptions. Additionally, it eliminates the need for a semicolon at the end of each line. Kotlin can, in short, be used as an “entry point” for developing Android apps and is much easier for beginners to learn than Java.

3. C++

Using the Android Native Development Kit, C++ may be utilized to create Android apps (NDK). Although an app can be partially implemented in C++ native code utilizing the NDK, an app cannot be entirely developed in C++. This makes it easier to use the app’s C++ code libraries as needed.

While C++ is often beneficial for developing Android apps, it is significantly less versatile and much more complicated to set up. A result of the complexity increase could be an increase in bugs. Therefore, Java is preferable than C++ since the latter does not yield enough benefit to justify the effort required.

4. C#

Because C# and Java are so similar, it is perfect for creating Android apps. Garbage collection is implemented in C# as it is in Java to reduce the likelihood of memory leaks. Additionally, Cgrammar #’s is clearer and simpler than Java’s, which makes developing with it relatively easy.

The main disadvantage of C# in the past was that it could only be used with Windows computers because it made use of the.NET Framework. However, Xamarin took care of this issue. A cross-platform implementation of the Common Language Infrastructure is Android (formerly known as Mono for Android). Xamarin, now. Native Android apps can be created using Android tools, and the code can be shared between different platforms.

5. Python

Even though Android doesn’t enable native Python programming, Python can still be used to create Android applications. The Python apps can be transformed into Android Packages that can be executed on Android devices using a variety of methods.

Kivy, a free and open-source Python library used in the creation of mobile apps, serves as an illustration of this. It supports Android and promotes quick app creation, which, in my opinion, is a win-win situation. The drawback of this is that since Kivy is not natively supported, there won’t be any native advantages for it.

6. CSS, HTML, and JavaScript

The Apache Cordova-based Adobe PhoneGap framework allows HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to be used to construct Android apps. The PhoneGap framework enables the use of web development expertise to produce hybrid apps that are displayed using “WebView” but are packaged like apps.

With the exception of JavaScript, the Adobe PhoneGap framework can handle all but the most fundamental Android app development tasks. The other languages on this list are preferable if you want to be referred to as a true Android developer (Yes, that exists!) because it takes a lot of work to even make a passable app in Java. But you can study React Native, an open-source framework that is now in great demand, assuming you are proficient with Javascript. With React Native, you can create stunning and potent hybrid apps that run on both iOS and Android. Due to the increasing popularity of hybrid app development, understanding React Native can help you advance your career in software development.

7. Dart

Today, dismissing Dart as a programming language would be equivalent to ignoring the elephant in the room (elephant is java). The Flutter framework, which is now quite popular because it can quickly produce stunning and high-performing apps for the web, desktop, and mobile, is powered by the open-source programming language Dart. Dart’s primary selling point is that Google created it as a client-optimized language for quick programs on any platform. Dart’s primary goal is to facilitate UI creation for programmers through the use of features like hot-reload, which enables programmers to view changes immediately as they are made to the application.

8. Corona

A software development kit called Corona can be used to create Android apps in Lua. Corona Native and Corona Simulator are its two operational modes. In contrast to Corona Native, which integrates Lua code with an Android Studio project to create apps with native functionality, Corona Simulator is used to create apps directly.

Even while Lua has fewer features than Java, it is simpler and has a lower learning curve. Additionally, different assets and plugins that enhance the app development process are built-in monetization features. Corona is mostly used to develop graphics-intensive software and video games, but it is in no way restricted to that.

 

It’s time to take on Android right away!

The mentioned languages can be used to construct a wide variety of apps, including chat messengers, music players, games, calculators, etc. And there isn’t a language that can be described as the “right language” for developing Android apps. Therefore, it is up to you to decide on the best language for each project based on your goals and preferences. And always keep in mind that no matter what you decide, doing so will only help you develop your skill set and advance as an Android developer.