The 7 Best Programming Languages to Write & Develop Native Android Apps

Best Programming Languages to Write and Develop Native Android Apps

Android is a mobile operating system (OS) that Google initially introduced in 2008. A large number of device manufacturers, including Google, Samsung, Sony, Nokia, and others, currently use it. With over three billion active users, the largest user base of any operating system (triple that of the number of active Apple iPhones, for example), and 69.74 percent of the global mobile OS market, Android supports both smartphones and tablets.

An increasing number of current and aspiring software developers are turning to Android app development as a result of the swift expansion of Android and enterprise mobile app development in general. The development of Android apps now largely requires knowledge of two key languages (Java and Kotlin), but that’s only the tip of the iceberg. The industry will continue to change as new technology is developed and trends change.

Java

One of the two official languages for developing Android apps is Java, which predominated until Kotlin’s introduction. Java is still the most popular language for creating Android apps because it is reliable and safe, allows multi-threading, is portable, and works well with complicated architecture, all of which are big benefits for modern developers. Although this is accurate, Java does have certain performance issues.

Kotlin

In 2017, Google made the decision to make Kotlin their official language, echoing Apple’s decision to utilize Swift. Both of these languages are straightforward and have large library collections, making them simple to learn and use. The Java virtual machine may support the typed language Kotlin. It is an open-source, flexible, and pragmatic computer programming language that mixes concepts from functional and acquisitive programming in order to facilitate quicker compilation. Many companies, like Basecamp, Pinterest, Netflix, and Uber, are already converting to Kotlin for their Android apps as an efficient alternative because of its speed, correctness, flexibility, security, and stability.

C/C++

The Android Native Development Kit (NDK) permits the use of C and C++, both of which are quite portable across operating systems, although Kotlin is the new kid on the block. It is especially helpful for CPU-intensive applications like games. C++ is a more general, object-oriented language that provides dynamic memory allocation to make it execute more quickly. Many software developers use C++ for native programming within Java or Kotlin programs as well as for cross-platform development. The availability of C++ support for Android programming lowers the entry hurdle for seasoned C++ programmers. However, C++ is not flexible enough to create the full software and, if abused, can result in a more unreliable, rigid app.

C#

Microsoft created the.NET programming language C#, which is supported by Visual Studio. Because of its high performance and versatility, C# is referred to as a “core” language. Object-oriented programming, on which C# is built, enables progressive app development and simpler maintenance. The main language for creating cross-platform apps with the Xamarin framework is C#.

Lua

A popular scripting language for game development and user interfaces is called Lua. Because Lua is an embeddable language, it can be used for cross-platform programming with an engine like Solar2D or Android.

JavaScript

One of the best programming languages available, JavaScript is adaptable for a wide range of tasks and is well-known for being quick and skilled at building complex user interfaces and experiences. Many cross-platform frameworks, like React Native, Angular, and Vue, employ JavaScript as their programming language. Knowing HTML and CSS, in addition to JavaScript, is necessary for a thorough understanding of the web.

Python

Python is an interpreted, object-oriented, high-level programming language with dynamic semantics, making it simple to use, capable of reducing development time, and supported by a sizable open-source community. Using third-party tools to translate Python applications into Android packages enables the use of the Python programming language for Android development. Python applications are notorious for using up more memory.

How Long Does It Take to Learn Android App Programming?

Learning an Android app language takes time and effort, on average anywhere from 3–4 months for general knowledge to over 1 year for a more firm mastery of the language, ideally with some experience alongside that knowledge. However, for more experienced programmers, this learning time is greatly accelerated.

Android app programming languages such as Java, Kotlin, C++, and others can be learned in a school setting, via an online course, with the help of textbooks, or through many helpful development communities. For those wanting to learn Kotlin, the official website is a great place to start.

Is it best to specialize in one Android app language or to diversify?

The need for knowledgeable Android developers grows along with the demand for Android apps. It is beneficial to have a basic understanding of a variety of programming languages that can be used for Android development, but it is also important to know one or two of them extremely well. Since not every tool is appropriate in every circumstance, the more you know, the more valuable your contribution as a developer will be.

It’s also true that over-specialization can cause problems if the market changes, as we witnessed when Kotlin replaced Java. It would be excellent for a novice Android developer to concentrate on the foundation languages that are more widely used (Koltin, Java), as well as the most popular languages specifically for Android (Koltin, Java), and the base languages that are more multi-purpose (JavaScript, C/C++).