This post is an introduction to Kotlin for Android development. Learn how the language differs from Java and the basic syntax and layout.

Google has released Android Studio 3.0 with support for the Kotlin programming language and new tools to speed up app development and debugging.

Kotlin interoperates with Java and its libraries, and is included with JetBrains' IntelliJ IDEA integrated development environment and Android Studio.

Kotlin is a super new programming language built by JetBrains, which also coincidentally develops the JetBrains IDE that Android Studio — Google’s official developer tool — is based on.

That came as a bit of a surprise, given that Java had long been the preferred language for Android app development, but few announcements at that year’s I/O got more applause.