Abu Zar Mishwani
According to reports, millennials check their smartphones over 100 times daily, which is astonishing.
The reason behind this addiction is the incredible sensory experience these devices offer through apps like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and WhatsApp, among others. These platforms keep us engaged and hooked throughout our daily lives.
In short, smartphone apps have become essential in our daily routines. They help us connect with others, find information, and have fun. Making a smartphone app can be enjoyable too, but it’s essential to pick the right programming language for the task at hand. With the right guidance, creating an app can be a rewarding experience.
In this article, we’ll focus on the best programming languages you need for Android app development. These languages will help you create awesome Android apps that users will enjoy.
What is ANDROID?
Before diving into the programming languages, it’s essential to understand what Android is beyond the fact that it powers our phones. Android is an open-source operating system built on Linux, specifically designed for mobile phones and tablets.
The uniqueness of Android lies in its unified approach for developers. They can create a single application that functions seamlessly across various Android mobile phones as long as they support compatible versions of Android.
Since its release in 2008, Android has undergone significant software improvements and numerous version upgrades. Its open-source nature allows anyone to access and use its code freely.
Benefits of Android For Users and Developers
As Android continues to be widely used across the globe, it offers incredible advantages for both users and developers.
Let’s explore some of the benefits that developers can experience.
- Android has a vast community of developers using various languages, enabling diverse possibilities.
- Its inter-app integration allows for exciting new features and functionalities.
- Android development is cost-effective, making it a budget-friendly choice.
- With a large user base, Android apps and games have higher chances of success due to widespread adoption.
The diverse range of languages available for Android development offers a rich and rewarding experience. With these options, you can create excellent apps that have the potential to thrive in the market.
The Official Language For Android
When it comes to Android app development, Kotlin is the official language, but there are also other options available.
Top 10 Best Programming Language For Android App Development in 2023
There are various programming languages to choose from when building an Android app. However, not all of them are equally efficient, so picking the right one for your needs is essential.
If you’re searching for the best programming language to develop Android apps, we’ve got a list of the top 10 options for you to consider.
1. Java
Java was the main language for creating Android apps in the past, but now Kotlin has taken its place. Still, many apps in the Play Store are made using Java. Google also supports Java the most, and there’s a helpful online community for getting help when facing issues in development.
Java can be challenging for beginners due to its complex concepts like constructors, null pointer exceptions, concurrency, and checked exceptions. The Android Software Development Kit (SDK) adds another layer of complexity to app development.
Java is an excellent language for Android App Development, providing a rich experience. However, beginners might find it complex and prefer starting with something easier before diving into Java.
2. Kotlin
In 2019, Google declared Kotlin as the official language for Android App Development, replacing Java. Kotlin is a cross-platform language that can be used as an alternative to Java.
It was introduced as a secondary “official” language in 2017. Kotlin can interoperate with Java and runs on the Java Virtual Machine (JVM).
Indeed, Kotlin simplifies Android App Development for beginners by removing unnecessary features like null pointer exceptions and the requirement to end each line with a semicolon, which can be daunting in Java.
It serves as a more accessible “entry point” for newcomers to start their journey in Android app development.
3. C++
C++ can be used for Android App Development with the help of the Android Native Development Kit (NDK). However, the whole app cannot be built solely with C++.
Instead, the NDK allows developers to use C++ for specific parts of the app, making it possible to include C++ code libraries as needed.
Using C++ for Android App Development can be helpful in certain situations, but it comes with challenges. It’s harder to set up and less flexible compared to Java, which can lead to more bugs due to increased complexity.
Overall, sticking with Java is often a better choice, as the benefits of using C++ may not justify the extra effort required.
4. C#
C# is a great choice for Android App Development because it shares similarities with Java. Like Java, C# also implements garbage collection, reducing the risk of memory leaks. Moreover, C# has a cleaner and simpler syntax, making coding more straightforward than Java.
In the past, a major limitation of C# for Android App Development was its dependency on the .NET Framework, which restricted it to Windows systems. However, this issue was resolved with the introduction of Xamarin.
Developers can now utilize Xamarin.Android tools to create native Android apps and share their code across multiple platforms. This allows for more flexible and efficient app development using C#.
5. Python
Python can be used for Android App Development, despite Android not directly supporting native Python development. Different tools are available to convert Python apps into Android Packages, allowing them to run on Android devices.
Kivy is a great example of an open-source Python library used for creating mobile apps, including Android support. It promotes fast app development, which is advantageous.
However, using Kivy may lack some native benefits since it’s not natively supported on Android.
6. HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
Android apps can be developed using web technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript through the Adobe PhoneGap framework, which is built on Apache Cordova. PhoneGap enables developers to utilize their web development skills to create hybrid apps. These apps are displayed using a “WebView” component but are packaged and function like native apps on Android devices.
The Adobe PhoneGap framework is suitable for basic Android App Development tasks, mainly requiring JavaScript programming. However, to create more substantial and polished apps, it’s recommended to use other languages from the list, as they are considered more comprehensive for becoming a proficient Android developer.
If you know JavaScript, consider learning React Native, an open-source framework that’s in high demand. With React Native, you can create stunning hybrid apps that work on both Android and iOS. Hybrid app development is trending, and mastering React Native can open up opportunities in software development.
7. Dart
Dart is an open-source language that drives the Flutter framework. It is gaining immense popularity for its ability to create stunning and high-performing web, desktop, and mobile apps in less time.
Dart’s main advantage lies in its design by Google as a client-optimized language, ensuring fast apps on various platforms. It simplifies UI development for developers with convenient features like hot-reload, enabling them to see instant changes while working on their apps.
Dart is also praised for its fast performance since it compiles to ARM and x64 machine code for mobile, desktop, and backend applications. It can also compile to JavaScript for web apps.
8. Go
Go, or Golang is a rising star in Android app development. Developed by Google, it’s known for being efficient, reliable, and user-friendly—ideal for creating powerful mobile apps. With its clear and concise syntax, Go encourages cleaner code and boosts productivity.
Go’s standout feature is its robust support for concurrency, allowing developers to manage multiple tasks simultaneously, resulting in highly responsive apps. Moreover, its built-in garbage collection and efficient memory management further enhance the language’s speed and reliability.
Go’s growing community and an extensive collection of libraries and frameworks offer abundant resources to developers. This makes Go an excellent choice for building feature-rich and scalable Android apps, making it a language worth considering for any Android app development project.
9. Ruby
Ruby is a user-friendly, object-oriented language preferred for Android app development due to its simplicity and productivity. It emphasizes human-readable code, enabling developers to write clear and concise programs, saving time and effort during development.
Ruby is a versatile language with strong community support, offering a wide range of libraries and packages that help speed up app development.
You need a framework like RubyMotion or Rhodes to develop a mobile app with Ruby. These frameworks allow you to create apps for Android, iOS, Windows, and OS X platforms.
Ruby alone cannot be used for mobile app development; it requires the support of these frameworks to build multi-platform applications.
10. Rust
Rust is a modern systems programming language gaining popularity in Android app development. It prioritizes safety and performance, empowering developers to create strong and secure applications with fine control over system resources.
A notable feature of Rust is its borrow checker, which helps avoid common programming errors like null pointer issues and data races. This ensures memory safety and reduces bugs, making it easier to create reliable Android apps.
Rust offers cross-platform capabilities and a robust standard library, equipping developers with powerful tools to build Android apps.
While it might require some effort to learn, Rust’s safety, performance, and cross-platform support make it an excellent choice for ambitious Android projects.
Conclusion
Regarding Android app development, you have a range of programming languages to choose from. Kotlin is the official language and a popular choice, while Java remains widely used.
With the abovementioned languages, you can create various apps like Chat Messengers, Calculators, Photo Editors, Music Players, Games, and more.
There is no one-size-fits-all language for Android app development. The choice of language should align with your specific goals and preferences for each project.
Remember, the choice of programming language is just the beginning. Continuous learning and improvement will expand your skills and lead to growth as an Android developer.