This post reviews some of the best programming languages to use for development on Android phones. It explores their features, pros, and cons so that you can choose the best as per your needs.
Android is the most popular mobile operating system in the world, with over 2.5 billion active devices. As a result, there is a high demand for Android apps. If you are interested in developing Android apps, you need to choose a programming language.
Programming Language for Android Phones in 2023
There are several programming languages that can be used to develop Android apps, but the most popular ones are Java and Kotlin. Java was the official language for Android development for many years, but Kotlin has become increasingly popular in recent years. In order to have a deeper look, let’s dive into more details.
Also Read: Create Your First Android App
Rank 1 – Java
Java is a general-purpose programming language that is known for its portability, reliability, and security. It is also a very popular language for enterprise applications.
Java is a good choice for programming on Android because it is the language that the Android operating system is written in. This means that Java apps have direct access to the Android APIs and can take full advantage of the Android platform.
Java is also a relatively easy language to learn, especially if you have experience with other programming languages. There is enough material you can find online and in libraries to help you learn Java.
Real-time Examples of Java Apps on Android
Here are some real-time examples of Android apps built using Java:
- WhatsApp: WhatsApp is a messaging app that allows users to send and receive text messages, images, and videos.
- Instagram: Instagram is a photo and video-sharing app that allows users to share their photos and videos with their followers.
- Facebook: Facebook is a social networking app that allows users to connect with friends and family, share photos and videos, and join groups.
- Twitter: Twitter is a social media app that allows users to share short messages (tweets) with their followers.
- Spotify: Spotify is a music streaming app that allows users to listen to millions of songs on demand.
Rank 2 – Kotlin
Kotlin is a statically typed programming language that is fully interoperable with Java. It is a product from JetBrains, which is also the maker of popular IDEs IntelliJ IDEA and PyCharm.
Kotlin is a natural language for programming on Android because it is more concise and expressive than Java. It also has a number of features that make it more suitable for developing mobile apps, such as support for null safety and lambdas.
Kotlin is also becoming increasingly popular in the Android development community. Google has officially supported Kotlin for Android development since 2017, and many popular Android apps are now written in Kotlin.
Real-time Examples of Kotlin Apps on Android
Here are some real-time examples of Android apps built using Kotlin:
- Google Pay: Google Pay is a mobile payment app that allows users to pay for goods and services using their Android devices.
- Trello: Trello is a task management app that allows users to create and manage boards, lists, and cards.
- Duolingo: Duolingo is a language-learning app that allows users to learn new languages by playing games and completing exercises.
- Evernote: Evernote is a note-taking app that allows users to create and organize notes, images, and audio recordings.
- Square Cash: Square Cash is a money transfer app that allows users to send and receive money from friends and family.
Python
Python can support Android app development through the use of frameworks such as Kivy and BeeWare. Kivy is a cross-platform framework that allows developers to create Android apps using Python code. BeeWare is a suite of Python tools that enable the development of platform-native applications using only Python.
To make Python more functional in terms of usage for Android app development, developers can use libraries such as NumPy, Matplotlib, and Scikit-learn. NumPy provides high-level mathematical functions for numerical processing. Matplotlib provides a plotting library for creating visualizations. Scikit-learn provides a machine-learning library for data science and machine-learning tasks.
Here are some additional tips for using Python for Android app development:
- Use a Python IDE such as PyCharm or Spyder. These IDEs provide features such as code completion, syntax highlighting, and debugging.
- Use a Python virtual environment to manage your Python dependencies. This will help to avoid conflicts between different versions of Python libraries.
- Use a Python build tool such as
buildozerorCythonto create Android apps from your Python code. - Test your Android apps on a variety of devices and operating systems.
Real-time Examples of Python Apps on Android
Here are some examples of Android apps that have been developed using Python:
- Kivy: Kivy is a cross-platform Python framework that has been used to develop a variety of Android apps, including games, educational apps, and productivity apps.
- Termux: Termux is a terminal emulator for Android that allows users to run Linux commands and applications on their Android devices.
- QPython: QPython is a Python interpreter for Android that allows users to run Python scripts and modules on their Android devices.
- SL4A: SL4A (Scripting Layer for Android) is a set of Python scripts that allow users to automate tasks on their Android devices.
Python is a powerful and versatile programming language that can be used to develop a wide variety of Android apps. By following the tips above, developers can create functional and efficient Android apps using Python.
Other Programming Languages to Review for Android
In addition to Java and Kotlin, there are a number of other programming languages that can be used to develop Android apps. These include:
- C/C++ – C and C++ are low-level programming languages that can be used to develop high-performance Android apps. However, they are more difficult to learn than Java and Kotlin.
- C# – C# is a general-purpose programming language that is developed by Microsoft. It can be used to develop Android apps using the Xamarin platform.
- Python – Python is a scripting language that is known for its simplicity and readability. It can be used to develop Android apps using the Kivy framework.
Must Try: Top 10 IDEs for CPP / C++
Which Programming Language is Best for You?
The best programming language for you will depend on your experience and your specific needs. If you are new to Android development, I recommend starting with Java or Kotlin. Both languages are easy to learn and have a large community of users and resources.
If you are already experienced with another programming language, such as C/C++, C#, or Python, you may want to consider using that language to develop Android apps. However, keep in mind that you will need to learn a new framework or platform in order to do so.
Comparison of Programming Languages
The following table compares the different programming languages that can be used to develop Android apps:
| Newer language with a smaller community | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Java | Official language for Android development | Can be verbose |
| Kotlin | More concise and expressive than Java | Newer language with smaller community |
| C/C++ | High performance | Difficult to learn |
| C# | Can use existing C# code | Requires Xamarin platform |
| Python | Easy to learn | Not as well-supported as Java or Kotlin |
Recommendation
I recommend that most Android developers start with Kotlin. It is a modern language that is easy to learn and has a number of features that make it well-suited for Android development.
However, if you are already experienced with another programming language, such as Java or C#, you may want to consider using that language to develop Android apps.
Getting Started with Kotlin
If you are interested in learning Kotlin, there are a number of resources available online and in libraries. You can also find a number of Kotlin tutorials and courses on the official Kotlin website.
Once you have learned the basics of Kotlin, you can start developing Android apps using Android Studio. Android Studio is the official IDE for Android development and it includes support for Kotlin.
Recommended: Android Studio Tutorial for Beginners
Tips for Learning a New Programming Language
If you are new to programming, or if you are learning a new programming language, here are a few tips:
- Start with the basics. Don’t try to learn everything at once. Start with the basics of the language, such as variables, keywords, data types, loops, and decision control statements. Once you have a good understanding of the basics, you can start learning more advanced topics.
- Find a good tutorial or book. There are a ton of resources online to help you learn a new programming language. Choose a tutorial or book that is well-written and easy to follow.
- Practice regularly. The best way to learn a new programming language is to practice regularly. Try to write code every day, even if it’s just for a few minutes.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you get stuck, don’t be afraid to ask for help from a friend, family member, or online forum. There are many people who are willing to help beginners learn to code.
Conclusion
Choosing the right programming language for Android development is an important decision. If you are new to Android development, I recommend starting with Java or Kotlin. Both languages are easy to learn and have a large community of users and resources.
If you are already experienced with another programming language, such as C/C++, C#, or Python, you may want to consider using that language to develop Android apps. However, keep in mind that you will need to learn a new framework or platform in order to do so.
No matter which programming language you choose, it is important to practice regularly and don’t be afraid to ask for help. With hard work and dedication, you can learn to develop Android apps using any programming language.
