Anyone with the slightest idea of how programming and app development works would understand that paradigm of development is quite important. You need to look after the platform, the features, and the alternatives they offer. Learning a new programming language is always a great opportunity for the developer to make use of their time and find new solutions. Each language helps these mobile app developers bring on the screen something interesting and fun.

Java being the champ in the field comes up with various frameworks and versions that make it hold its ground in this competition.

We share here an ultimate comparison guide of Kotlin vs Groovy performance that would help you have a basic insight on two most popular Java Virtual Machine (JVM) languages. These languages have been seeing great expansion over the years. With various variants, with each modification, there is something on the screen that is innovative and unique.

Here our mobile app development experts share the clear comparison between Kotlin and Groovy.

Kotlin or Groovy: Making the Right Choice

The continuous advancements in the computer science domain have pushed programming languages towards perfection and have modified them to adapt to present day’s fast and quick requirements. When talking about programming languages they serve different purposes. Some emerge as an independent project, while others came up from established and well-known languages.

Kotlin: Understanding Google’s Choice in Brief

Kotlin is developed by the experts at Jetbrains. Yes, the Java company. Kotlin is a high-level, open-sourced language that came into existence in 2012 and runs on JVM.  The language is quite dependent on Java Class library, although the syntax isn’t quite compatible with Java.  With an improved syntax, concise expressions, the language eliminates the need of any boilerplate code. With an aggressive type inference to decide types of values and expressions, it makes less verbose as compared to Java.

Kotlin developers love working in the language as it offers an interesting mix of features from Java, C# and other new languages. Null safety, operator overloading, etc. were a major concern when talking about Java  that are worked upon here. Although it overcomes some of the issues with the language, it lags some of the convenient features that Java offers like ternary operator and checked exceptions.

As Java and Kotlin are interoperable they can exist in the same application. One need not import it all at once.

Woah! Sounds like Kotlin can be the right choice.

Well, this is not it. The language is a part of the Android SDK. Kotlin has marked its presence in the IDE’s installation package as an alternative to the standard Java Compiler. Java 8,7, or 6-compatible bytecode can easily be targeted by the developer.

The language is quite popular among the developers for its accuracy, interoperability, and code security.

Features:

  • Reduces Runtime Crashes
  • Interoperable with Java
  • Smart Cast Function
  • Extension functions
  • Low Cost of Adoption
  • Safe and Reliable

These are a few features that make Kotlin a popular choice among the developers when it comes to taking projects for app development.

Groovy: Been There Done That

This is another object oriented programming language for Java platform. Its key features are, it tries combining static typing for Java and a more lenient dynamic typing to that of Python. Distributed through the Apache License v 2.0, it is also compiled to JVM bytecode.

This can be used as a programming language and a scripting language for the Java platform that makes it quite popular among the developers. It has a much sorted Java-like syntax. One set back could be it takes on the ease of more moldable languages, such as Python and Ruby.

Groovy has been in the market before Kotlin and its patents call it the modern Java enhancer, because of the flexibility and special features it has to offer to the audience. Some of the Groovy features are safe navigation operator (?.), the concept of Closures, Traits, runtime dispatching of methods, Groovy String, Array initialization, etc.

Since the language is testing oriented, the run tests in IDEs are supported and the tools like ANT and Maven can be used. Other than this, the language provides extended support to native languages like XML and HTML and domain specific languages.

What can also make it attractive to developers is its short learning curve: for Java developers, it is just a step away from the usual syntax, for new learners — it is relatively easy and modern.

Features 

  • Multimethod and Metaprogramming
  • Scripts without class declarations
  • Method definitions outside of class definitions
  • Can easily be compiled and integrated with Java
  • LL supports for maps, lists
  • Supports dynamic typing

With these features Groovy has made itself a special place amongst the developers who want to write test cases. The language is quite popular and developers do expect it to come out with a better version in the coming years.

Kotlin vs Groovy: Making the Right Choice

When choosing a programming language for your app development the most important thing is to consider its technical responses. We share here an insight into the tech dominance of Kotlin and Groovy.

These aspects help you determine which of the JVM languages Kotlin Vs Groovy do you want to choose. Some of the aspects that we have considered here to reflect the difference are:

  • Null Safety
  • Dynamic/Static
  • Java Integration
  • Ecosystem
  • Concise
  • Learning Curve
  • Syntax
  • Performance Time

With each of these recorded as per the professionals response we ensure you cannot find a better comparison guide of Kotlin Vs Groovy around the internet.

Factors Kotlin 

Groovy

Null SafetyTwo types of references: nullable and non-nullableDoes not ensure null safety
Dynamic/StaticStatically programmedDynamically Programmed
Java IntegrationInteroperable easilyInteroperable with third-party libraries
EcosystemHas lesser libraries as fairly younger to GroovyGood for reactive web development. Comes with built-in features and testing tools.
ConciseAdvanced integration, fast development, and customization mechanismsReduces amount of boilerplate code
Learning CurveLess lines of code and accountable for ease of readabilityEasily adopted by developers well-versed with Java
SyntaxEvery class is a function here and vice versaGroovy as such has no data class. With later versions a new class annotation `@Canonical`
Performance TimeSame as JavaSlower than Java and Kotlin

Along with these technical differences, the practical applications of the languages would help you make the right decision.

Existing Applications

Kotlin

Considering the fact that Kotlin is an official Android app development language, many popular android applications are based on the language. This is more sought after for server-side applications, letting the developers work on concise and expressive code allowing full compatibility with existing Java-based technology stacks.

The top names making the best of Kotlin are: 

  • Pinterest
  • Gradle
  • Evernote
  • Coursera
  • Uber
  • Trello
  • Atlassian
  • Kickstarter

Groovy

The language is quite similar to Java and finding a distinguishing application for it is quite difficult. Since this is both the programming and scripting language it does have some great names under its hat to list.

The most popular ones being

  • Netflix
  • Oracle
  • LinkedIn

Also, Read: How to Create a Streaming App like Netflix- Key Features & Cost

So depending on your business idea and domain you can choose to work with the language that you find interesting. It is quite interesting to note that both the JVM are so similar in their syntaxes and have a varied domain to provide the services. Their interoperability and concise coding tricks are an advantage for the developers.

If you want to build a dedicated Android app then Google literally has finalized it to Kotlin, but if you are looking for something native and interesting then Groovy can help you.

The Right Choice

As per the experience of our Java app developers, we can conclude that Groovy is preferred for writing test cases and Kotlin is for production. Kotlin has strong support from Google and is the official Android app development language since 2017.

Kotlin and Groovy both are JVM languages and loved by developers equally. If you have thoroughly checked the article here, the major difference is not in their functions but in their compilations. Considering a few distinguishing features, the good part is they are interoperable and can co-exist in the same application.

With so much buzz in the market and Kotlin being in the list of android development languages, Groovy may have taken a backseat but you never know what the future has.

The Key Takeaway!

This is the best guide for Kotlin vs. Groovy 2021. If you have a knack for technical information we have clearly reflected it in the article here and if you want to enter the market with some app location that works on the same idea of any of the popular apps in the market, then you have that list too.

If you have an app idea and aren’t sure how to turn it into a reality, reach to our app development company and our experts would work with your business as theirs.

We have been providing assistance to various big names in the industry and are known for the innovative and unique solutions that we deliver.

THE AUTHOR
Project Manager
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Priyank Sharma is a tech blogger with a passion for exploring the intersection of technology and everyday life. With a diverse background in technology and a love for storytelling, Priyank brings a unique perspective to his blog, making complex concepts accessible and relatable.

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