Java is a revolutionary programming language worldwide. It has catalyzed multiple other languages over the years, and these languages are considered Java’s alternative for effective application development. The two famous names in the programming world under the JVM language category are Kotlin and Scala. Scala and Kotlin have been a developer’s delight with their bouquet of salient features.
There has been a constant comparison between Kotlin and Scala, though both showcase their innovative ways of enhancing Java. Kotlin focuses on a better version of Java by reducing the boilerplate code and adding new features like null-safe design. In comparison, Scala offers a flexible syntax motivated by functional programming ideas.
Before we compare them, we should look at their overview and salient features.
What is Kotlin?
Kotlin is a modern programming language that makes developers happier. It is a concise and safe programming language, easy to pick up, so you can create powerful applications immediately.
Kotlin is a well-known, open-source, JVM programming language developed in 2010. It is backed by two well-known entities: JetBrains and Google. It possesses object-oriented features like Smart Casts, Extension Functions, etc. It is an ideal choice for Android users since Android Studio lets app development be done in Java and Kotlin. If you are familiar with Java, learning Kotlin is easier.
Being a functional language, it offers good support for high-order functions. Kotlin is a modern language used to build server-side apps, Android apps, and much more. It majorly targets the Java Virtual Machine and compiles it into JavaScript. It is affected by other languages like Groovy, Java, C#, etc. It relies on the current Java Class library for its syntax. It offers code interoperability and code safety to the entire developer community.
The Scala Programming Language combines object-oriented and functional programming in one concise, high-level language. Scala’s JVM and JavaScript runtimes let you build high-performance systems with easy access to huge ecosystems of libraries.
Scala is a popular JVM language meant for large-scale programs for functional programming. It is interoperable with Java and possesses features like code conciseness, higher-order functions, etc. It supports object-oriented programming, type systems, collections, custom control structures, traits, functions, and closures. Pattern matching is a highlight in Scala, through which you can use the match statement to correspond any data or lists with your types.
It has an extensible and flexible code syntax. Scala mainly intends to showcase common programming patterns in a sleek, short, and effective manner. Since the object-oriented and functional features are integrated, developers can easily explore Scala and its features. It automatically infers type information. It facilitates turning variables mutable or immutable while declaring them.
Scala Features
Immutability and concurrency control
High order functions
Exact syntax with no boilerplate code
Supports object-oriented and functional programming
Faster error and bug detection
Statically typed and extensible
Supports pattern matching and macros
Facilitates overloading operators
Companies Using Scala
Netflix, LinkedIn, Apple, Twitter, LinkedIn, Uber, Foursquare, Tumblr, Sony, The Guardian, precog, Airbnb, etc.
Kotlin vs. Scala: An Evaluation Between Two Popular JVM Languages
Parameters
Kotlin
Scala
Inception
2011
2014
Overview
Object-oriented language with functions as first-class citizens
Multi-paradigm programming language
Popular Frameworks/Libraries
Spek, Klaxon, Kotlin NoSQL, Kanary, Kotlin-Core etc.
Epic, Breeze, Saddle, Akka, Summing Bird, Smile, etc.
Android Compatibility
Kotlin is ideally used for Android app development
Scala is not widely used for Android app development
Compilation Speed
Faster compilation speed compared to Scala
Slower compilation speed compared to Kotlin
Pattern Matching
Kotlin does not entirely support pattern-matching
Scala offers complete support for pattern-matching
Length of Code
Usually short, to the point
Usually larger
Community Support
Small-sized community support
Large community support
Ease of Learning
Easy to understand with basic syntax and simple coding style
Powerful and flexible syntax, a little tricky for novices
Big Data and Data Science
Not ideal for Big Data and Data Science applications
Fit for Big Data and Data Science with features like pattern matching
Job Opportunities
Lesser Kotlin jobs in the market
More Scala jobs in the market
Average Salary of Developers
The average Kotlin developer salary in the USA is $130,000 annually or $66.67 per hour.
The average Scala developer salary in the USA is $135,900 annually or $69.69 per hour.
Ease of Coding
Easy to code and debug with simple syntax
It will take time to understand the coding syntax
Inline Functionality
The compiler automatically takes functions with ‘inline’ keyword as inline
The developer must ask the compiler to inline a method through @inline
Null Point Exceptions
Practical and easy null safety management
Adds complexity to code while doing null safety management
Operator Overloading
Kotlin overloads basic operators, making it easy to understand but less flexible.
Scala is quickly approaching operator overloading, making it better for human-readable code.
Interoperability with Java
It is 100% interoperable with Java. One can call Kotlin code from Java and vice versa.
One can access Java classes but cannot call Scala classes in a Java environment.
Use Cases
Android development, web development, and server-side development
Big Data & Machine learning solutions, projects with OOPS, and functional programming
Codes
Kotlin Codes are efficient and brief
Scala codes are more significant and widespread
Documentation
API documentation is extensive but not very well arranged
API documentation is simple and well-arranged
Scala vs Kotlin: The Bottom line
The debate between Kotlin and Scala seems like a long one. Kotlin is a comfortable option in an Android environment; however, beyond that, there could be other options. For options like Eclipse, Scala could prove better. Scala IDE is a tad more developed than the Kotlin plug-in, yet it is highly popular among Java developers. Being modern, developers look at Kotlin as a better option. Scala is for implementing newer ideas, and Kotlin is for getting the best results.
Be it Scala or Kotlin, both are popular and effective and are a developer’s choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Scala has numerous features provided and is well suited for ideal functional programming, particularly in data engineering, optimized for Kotlin with Java interop and is widely used for android app development. The decision has to do with the individual requirements of a certain project.
No, Scala is not used to replace Java but it enhances the extent of functionality of Java language. High-concurrency applications are more aligned with Go, as well as data science, while Java currently holds its position due to its extensive ecosystem.
Actually, Scala is still relevant primarily in the field of data engineering and backend development and with tools like Apache Spark. It is still receiving strong backing and being used by some big names such as Twitter and Netflix.
It is true that Scala’s future seems secure now, especially in big data processing and high-performance fields. Though its market is narrower than Java or Python's, it is well established in its specialized areas.
Scala has a longer time to compile, a steep learning curve, and difficulty debugging the code. Kotlin also has a problem with compatibility with Java, which some teams can find problematic compared to the Kotlin language.
Author
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