Kotlin is a statically typed programming language designed to interoperate with Java and fully supported by Google on the Android operating system.

Based on Big Nerd Ranch’s popular Kotlin Essentials course, this guide shows you how to work effectively with the Kotlin programming language through hands-on examples and clear explanations of key Kotlin concepts and foundational APIs. Written for Kotlin 1.2, this book will also introduce you to JetBrains’ IntelliJ IDEA development environment.

Whether you are an experienced Android developer looking for modern features beyond what Java offers or a new developer ready to learn your first programming language, the authors will guide you from first principles to advanced usage of Kotlin. By the end of this book, you will be empowered to create reliable, concise applications in Kotlin.

Josh Skeen is a software engineer and instructor at Big Nerd Ranch. A graduate of the Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, he discovered software as a medium for creating interactive art and has been hooked ever since. When not in front of a computer, you can find him running, practicing Brazilian jiu-jitsu, or creating patches for his modular synthesizer.

David Greenhalgh is an Android developer and instructor at Big Nerd Ranch, where he loves to build new things. He has a degree in computer science from the Georgia Institute of Technology. When he’s not writing Android apps or developing courses, he can be found cooking, reading, or being disappointed by the Buffalo Bills.