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Gradle VS Kotlin

Compare Gradle VS Kotlin and see what are their differences

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Gradle logo Gradle

Accelerate developer productivity. Gradle helps teams build, automate and deliver better software, faster. DocsExplore the documentation of Gradle. Find installation ..

Kotlin logo Kotlin

Statically typed Programming Language targeting JVM and JavaScript
  • Gradle Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-05-11
  • Kotlin Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-05-09

We recommend LibHunt Kotlin for discovery and comparisons of trending Kotlin projects.

Gradle features and specs

  • Performance
    Gradle is known for its high performance, including build caching and incremental builds. It optimizes tasks to avoid unnecessary work and speeds up the development process.
  • Flexibility
    Gradle provides a highly flexible and customizable build automation system. It supports Java, Kotlin, Groovy, Scala, and more.
  • Dependency Management
    Gradle offers robust dependency management, allowing easy handling of complex dependencies and transitive dependencies. It integrates well with repositories like Maven Central and JCenter.
  • Multi-project Builds
    Gradle excels at handling multi-project builds. It supports both monorepo and multi-repo project structures, enabling scalable build configurations.
  • Integration
    Gradle integrates smoothly with popular IDEs like IntelliJ IDEA, Eclipse, and Android Studio, improving the developer experience and productivity.
  • Declarative Builds
    Gradle uses a domain-specific language (DSL) which makes it easier to declare build configurations in a readable format. It supports both Groovy and Kotlin DSLs.

Possible disadvantages of Gradle

  • Complexity
    Gradleโ€™s flexibility can introduce complexity. New users might find it challenging to grasp Gradleโ€™s concepts and DSL, especially for sophisticated build configurations.
  • Configuration Time
    Initial configuration and setup of Gradle can be time-consuming. Fine-tuning the build scripts to optimize performance may also require significant effort.
  • Documentation
    While Gradleโ€™s documentation is comprehensive, it can sometimes be overwhelming. Users might need to rely on community resources or tutorials for certain advanced configurations.
  • Compatibility Issues
    Gradle changes and updates can sometimes introduce compatibility issues with plugins or existing build scripts, requiring adjustments when upgrading.
  • Resource Intensive
    Gradle can be resource-intensive, potentially consuming significant memory and CPU resources, particularly for very large projects.

Kotlin features and specs

  • Interoperability
    Kotlin is fully interoperable with Java, which means developers can use both languages within the same project and have seamless communications between them.
  • Conciseness
    Kotlin reduces boilerplate code, making the codebase easier to read and maintain. It offers concise syntax and reduces the amount of code.
  • Null Safety
    Kotlin's type system is designed to eliminate null pointer exceptions by making all types non-nullable by default, thus enhancing reliability and reducing runtime crashes.
  • Coroutines
    Kotlin provides built-in support for coroutines, which makes writing asynchronous code more straightforward and readable compared to traditional approaches.
  • Modern Language Features
    Kotlin includes advanced features such as lambda expressions, extension functions, higher-order functions, and more, improving productivity and providing more expressive code constructs.
  • Full Tooling Support
    Kotlin is supported by major IDEs like IntelliJ IDEA, Android Studio, Eclipse, and others, with full tooling support including debugging, refactoring, and linting.
  • Community and Ecosystem
    Kotlin has a growing and vibrant community with extensive resources, libraries, and frameworks that support a wide range of programming needs.

Possible disadvantages of Kotlin

  • Learning Curve
    Despite its modern features, Kotlin has a learning curve, especially for developers who are more familiar with Java or other programming languages.
  • Compilation Speed
    Kotlin's compilation speed is often slower compared to Java, which can impact the development workflow, especially in larger projects.
  • Runtime Performance
    While Kotlin performs comparably to Java in many cases, there can be minor performance hits in certain scenarios due to additional language features.
  • Fewer Resources Compared to Java
    Although growing, Kotlin's ecosystem of libraries and frameworks is still smaller compared to Java's well-established and extensive ecosystem.
  • Tooling Maturity
    While support in major IDEs is robust, some third-party tools and plugins may not fully support Kotlin, leading to potential integration issues.
  • Android Specific Challenges
    In the context of Android development, some legacy libraries and tools might not be fully compatible with Kotlin, necessitating additional workarounds.
  • Job Market
    While demand for Kotlin developers is growing, Java still dominates the job market, which may limit opportunities for Kotlin-focused roles in certain regions.

Analysis of Kotlin

Overall verdict

  • Kotlin is highly regarded as a modern, safe, and efficient language for a variety of development tasks, specifically for Android app development.

Why this product is good

  • Modern features
    Kotlin offers modern programming features such as null safety, extension functions, and a concise syntax which make it more expressive and safer compared to some older languages.
  • Tooling support
    Kotlin is supported by leading IDEs like IntelliJ IDEA and Android Studio, providing efficient tools and plugins for a better development experience.
  • Interoperability
    It is fully interoperable with Java, allowing developers to gradually transition or integrate it into existing Java codebases without difficulties.
  • Community and backing
    Kotlin is backed by JetBrains and Google, with a growing community and a wealth of resources, tutorials, and libraries available.

Recommended for

    {"android_development" => "Kotlin is the preferred language for Android app development, officially supported by Google.", "modern_java_programming" => "Kotlin is recommended for developers looking to modernize Java-based applications or start new projects with a more modern language.", "multi-platform_projects" => "It is well-suited for multi-platform projects, as it can target JVM, Android, JavaScript, and native platforms efficiently."}

Gradle videos

Gradle project properties best practices (don't be that guy)

More videos:

  • Review - Gradle Demystified - Josh Allen
  • Review - Working With Gradle in IntelliJ IDEA

Kotlin videos

10 reasons to try Kotlin for Android development

More videos:

  • Review - What can Kotlin do for me? (GDD Europe '17)
  • Review - Java or Kotlin for Android Development โ€“ Which One Is Better?

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Gradle and Kotlin)
DevOps Tools
100 100%
0% 0
Programming Language
0 0%
100% 100
Continuous Integration
100 100%
0% 0
OOP
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Gradle and Kotlin

Gradle Reviews

We have no reviews of Gradle yet.
Be the first one to post

Kotlin Reviews

Explore 9 Top Eclipse Alternatives for 2024
Cross-platform development with variants targeting JVM (Kotlin/JVM), JavaScript (Kotlin/JS), and native code (Kotlin/Native).
Source: aircada.com
Top 10 Rust Alternatives
The last computer programming language to stand out as an exceptional alternative to Rust is named Kotlin. It is typed statically and was manufactured for Java machines.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Kotlin should be more popular than Gradle. It has been mentiond 82 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Gradle mentions (42)

  • Top 5 Essential Build Tools for Modern Development
    Emerging as a strong contender and often seen as a modern alternative to Maven, Gradle offers unparalleled flexibility and performance. While also deeply rooted in the Java ecosystem, Gradle's versatility extends to various languages and platforms, including Android, C++, and more, making it a favorite for diverse development environments. - Source: dev.to / 3 months ago
  • Android Studio Ladybug broke my build.
    First off, Gradle is the build system selected by the Android team at Google as the official tool for generating Android APKs, Bundles, or libraries. Gradle exists outside Android and can be used with other technologies. - Source: dev.to / 11 months ago
  • Tutorial: Build a Java SDK based on OpenAPI Spec
    Gradle: Gradle offers more flexibility and faster build times, especially for larger Projects. It can be useful if your SDK requires more advanced build customizations or if you prioritize build performance. - Source: dev.to / about 1 year ago
  • My Journey with AWS CDK and Java: What You Need to Know
    From what Iโ€™ve seen, adopting the CDK in Java is relatively easy for most of these teams as they already understand the language and the ecosystem. Integrating the CDK with their existing build tools like Maven and Gradle is well documented, which leaves them with the learning curve of understanding how to work with infrastructure as code, how to structure a CDK project and when to use L1, L2 and L3 constructs. - Source: dev.to / about 1 year ago
  • Rapyd API Request Signatures in Java
    To begin, create a new Java project with the Gradle build option using IntelliJ IDE. Gradle is a build automation tool that supports compiling, testing, packing, and deploying applications, and it also helps seamlessly manage dependencies. - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago
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Kotlin mentions (82)

  • Leveraging Stack Traces for SQL Performance Analysis in Spring Boot Applications
    All code examples in this article are written in Kotlin, leveraging its concise syntax, null safety, and seamless Java interoperability. Kotlin's expressive language features make the implementation more readable and maintainable compared to traditional Java approaches, while providing full compatibility with the Spring Boot ecosystem. - Source: dev.to / 2 months ago
  • Doodle Weather Clone
    Doodle helps you create beautiful, modern apps entirely in Kotlin. Its render model is intuitive yet powerful, making it easy to achieve complex UIs with pixel level precision and layouts. This simplicity and power applies to everything from user input to drag and drop. Doodle lets you build and animate anything. - Source: dev.to / 7 months ago
  • Kotlin vs. Java: A Grand Finale and Farewell (But Not Goodbye!)
    Kotlin Official Website: Your one-stop shop for all things Kotlin, with comprehensive documentation, tutorials, and resources: https://kotlinlang.org/. - Source: dev.to / 11 months ago
  • Day 0 of #100daysofMiva || Setting up for success
    Next, I selected the technologies and frameworks I want to focus on during this challenge. For frontend development, I'll be exploring Reactjs, Vue.js, Bootstrap, Next.js, and MUI. For backend development, I'll be diving into Express, Django, Node.js, PHP, and Firebase. Additionally, I'll be learning Kotlin, React Native, and Flutter for mobile development, and APIs, PostgreSQL, Cloud, and MongoDB for full stack... - Source: dev.to / about 1 year ago
  • Better Animations... in Latest Doodle
    Doodle helps you create beautiful, modern apps entirely in Kotlin. Its render model is intuitive yet powerful, making it easy to achieve complex UIs with pixel level precision and layouts. This simplicity and power applies to everything from user input to drag and drop. Doodle lets you build and animate anything. - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Gradle and Kotlin, you can also consider the following products

Apache Maven - Apache Maven is a project comprehension and management software tool.

JavaScript - Lightweight, interpreted, object-oriented language with first-class functions

GNU Make - GNU Make is a tool which controls the generation of executables and other non-source files of a program from the program's source files.

Python - Python is a clear and powerful object-oriented programming language, comparable to Perl, Ruby, Scheme, or Java.

CMake - CMake is an open-source, cross-platform family of tools designed to build, test and package software.

Typescript - TypeScript allows developers to compile a superset of JavaScript to plain JavaScript on any browser, host, or operating system.