Commonly used languages for Android software

There are different types of platforms with their own strengths and weaknesses, and languages that can be developed differently.

A good understanding of the characteristics of the platform and development language is important for successful app development.

Therefore, in this article, we will introduce their features, advantages, and disadvantages in an easy-to-understand manner so that even those who have no experience as an engineer or beginners can create Android software.

1. Java

Java is the official first language for Android application development, but is currently replaced by Kotlin and also the most used language.

Many apps on the Play Store are built in Java and are also the language most supported by Google. In addition, Java has a great online community to help you in case of problems.

However, for beginners, Java is a complex language because it contains complex topics such as constructors, null pointer exceptions, concurrency, and checked exceptions. In addition, the Android Software Development Kit (SDK) takes complexity to a new level.

In short, Java is the perfect language to experience all the joys of developing Android applications. However, it can be a bit complicated for beginners. So beginners should experience something easier before choosing Java.

2. Kotlin

Kotlin currently is the official language of Android app development declared by Google since 2019. Kotlin is a cross-platform programming language that can be used as an alternative to Java for Android application development. It was also introduced in 2017 as an "official" Java sub-language. Kotlin can interoperate with the Java programming language. At the same time, it can also be run in the Java Virtual Machine.

The big difference between Kotlin and Java is that Kotlin removes redundant Java features such as null pointer exceptions. It also eliminates the need to place a semicolon at the end of each line. In short, Kotlin is much easier for beginners than Java and can also be used as an "entry point" for Android app development.

3. C++

C ++ can be used to develop Android applications using the Android Native Development Kit (NDK).

However, you can't write your application entirely in C++. The NDK is also used to deploy parts of the application using native, C++ code. This allows you to use the C++ code library for on-demand applications.

C++ can be useful for developing Android apps, but it's much harder to set up and less flexible. It also increases complexity which leads to more errors. Therefore, it is recommended to use Java instead of C++, as there is not enough benefit to offset the effort required.

4. C#

C# is very similar to Java, making it ideal for developing Android apps. Like Java, C# implements garbage collection, which reduces the chance of memory leaks. Also, C# has a cleaner and simpler syntax than Java, which makes coding C# relatively easy.

One thing to keep in mind is that C# uses the .NET Framework, so it can only be run on Windows systems. However, this issue is being addressed by Xamarin.Android (formerly Mono for Android), a cross-platform implementation of the common language infrastructure.

You can now use Xamarin.Android tools to create native Android apps and share code across multiple platforms.

5. Python

Android doesn't natively support Python development, but Python can be used for Android application development. This can be done by using various tools to convert the Python application into an Android package that can be run on Android devices.

For example, Kivy is an open-source Python library used to develop mobile apps. It supports Android and promotes rapid application development. However, the downside is that Kivy has no special benefits as it is not natively supported.

6. Corona Native

Corona Native is a software development kit that you can use to develop Android applications using Lua. The two modes of operation are Corona Simulator and Corona Native. Corona Simulator is used to create live apps, and Corona Native is used to integrate Lua code with Android Studio projects and use native features to create apps.

Lua has a few limitations compared to Java and is easy to learn. In addition to various content and plugins, there is also a monetization function to enhance the app development experience.

7. HTML, CSS, JavaScript

Android apps can be created in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript using the Adobe Phone Gap framework with Apache Cordova. The Phone Gap framework basically uses your web development skills to create hybrid applications that are displayed through a "WebView" but are packaged like an application.

Adobe Phone Gap provides all the basic tasks in the field of Android application development, but rarely requires a lot of programming except Java Script. Also, as a professional Android developer, we recommend using other languages ​​as it takes a lot of work to create great apps.

8. Conclusion

There are many applications such as chat messenger, music player, game, calculator, etc. that can be created in the above languages. Also, there is no language that can be called a "single language" for Android app development. Therefore, you need to choose the right language based on your goals and preferences for each project.

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