Top 50 Differences Between Kotlin and Groovy | Kotlin Vs Groovy

2023-03-01

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Difference Between Kotlin and Groovy: Kotlin and Groovy are two popular programming languages that have gained significant attention among developers. Both languages run on the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) and offer various features and functionalities that make them unique. In this article, we will explore the top 50 differences between Kotlin and Groovy.

Table of Contents

Kotlin Vs Groovy

By understanding the Difference Between Kotlin and Groovy, one can make informed decisions on which language is better suited for their specific needs. So, let’s dive in and explore the key differences between Kotlin and Groovy.

Groovy Vs Kotlin | What are the differences?

This section aims to provide an understanding of the definitions of Kotlin and Groovy. Lets dive into it.

What is Groovy?

Groovy is a dynamic, object-oriented programming language that runs on the Java Virtual Machine (JVM). It shares a similar syntax to Java and supports a variety of programming paradigms, including imperative, functional, and object-oriented programming. Groovy is often used in the development of enterprise applications due to its simplicity and compatibility with existing Java code. It also offers features such as scripting capabilities, dynamic typing, and closures, which make it a popular choice for developing web applications, testing frameworks, and building tools.

What is Kotlin?

Kotlin is a modern programming language designed for developing robust and scalable software applications. Developed by JetBrains in 2011, Kotlin is a statically typed language that runs on the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) and is interoperable with Java. Kotlin is known for its concise syntax, null safety, and type safety, making it a popular choice for building Android applications, server-side applications, and other software projects.

Top 50 Differences Between Kotlin and Groovy

The following table presents a comprehensive list of 50 significant differences between Kotlin and Groovy, two widely-used programming languages in modern software development, covering various aspects such as syntax and performance.

Sr. No.	Kotlin	Groovy
1	Kotlin is statically typed.	Groovy is dynamically typed.
2	Kotlin is a JVM-based language developed by JetBrains.	Groovy is a scripting language developed by Apache Software Foundation.
3	Kotlin has null safety features that help prevent null pointer exceptions.	Groovy does not have built-in null safety features.
4	Kotlin is a newer language and has better support for modern programming paradigms.	Groovy has been around for longer and has a larger user base.
5	Kotlin has better tooling support with IntelliJ IDEA, Android Studio, and other JetBrains IDEs.	Groovy has good support with IntelliJ IDEA and Eclipse, but not as strong as Kotlin.
6	Kotlin has data classes, which are used to represent data structures.	Groovy does not have data classes but has similar functionality with its `@TupleConstructor` annotation.
7	Kotlin has extension functions, which allow you to add new functions to existing classes.	Groovy has extension methods, which provide similar functionality.
8	Kotlin has type inference, which allows the compiler to determine the type of a variable based on its context.	Groovy has dynamic typing, which means the type of a variable can change at runtime.
9	Kotlin has first-class functions, which means you can pass functions as arguments and return them from functions.	Groovy also has first-class functions.
10	Kotlin has coroutines, which are lightweight threads used for asynchronous programming.	Groovy does not have built-in support for coroutines.
11	Kotlin has sealed classes, which are used to represent restricted class hierarchies.	Groovy does not have sealed classes.
12	Kotlin has companion objects, which allow you to define static members for a class.	Groovy does not have companion objects but has similar functionality with its `@Singleton` annotation.
13	Kotlin has higher-order functions, which are functions that take other functions as arguments or return functions as results.	Groovy also has higher-order functions.
14	Kotlin has smart casting, which allows the compiler to automatically cast a variable based on its type in a conditional statement.	Groovy does not have smart casting.
15	Kotlin has a concise syntax, which reduces boilerplate code.	Groovy also has a concise syntax.
16	Kotlin has a strong type system, which helps prevent errors at compile time.	Groovy’s dynamic typing can lead to errors at runtime.
17	Kotlin has operator overloading, which allows you to define the behavior of operators such as `+` and `-` for custom types.	Groovy also has operator overloading.
18	Kotlin has a built-in testing framework, called `kotlin.test`.	Groovy has several testing frameworks, including Spock and Geb.
19	Kotlin has named arguments, which allow you to specify arguments by name instead of their position.	Groovy also has named arguments.
20	Kotlin has default parameter values, which allow you to specify default values for function parameters.	Groovy also has default parameter values.
21	Kotlin has object expressions, which allow you to define anonymous objects.	Groovy also has anonymous classes.
22	Kotlin has properties, which allow you to define getter and setter methods for a field.	Groovy also has properties.
23	Kotlin supports coroutines, which are a way of writing asynchronous, non-blocking code in a sequential, synchronous style.	Groovy does not support coroutines.
24	Kotlin has non-nullable types by default.	Groovy does not have non-nullable types.
25	Kotlin has a safe call operator `?.`, which prevents null pointer exceptions.	Groovy does not have a safe call operator.
26	Kotlin has a `when` expression, which is a more powerful replacement for Java’s `switch` statement.	Groovy also has a `switch` statement.
27	Kotlin has a single expression function syntax, which allows you to write functions in a more concise way.	Groovy does not have a single expression function syntax.
28	Kotlin has a `lateinit` keyword, which allows you to mark a property as uninitialized but promise to initialize it before use.	Groovy does not have a `lateinit` keyword.
29	Kotlin has a `by lazy` keyword, which allows you to initialize a property lazily.	Groovy does not have a `by lazy` keyword.
30	Kotlin has a `const` keyword, which allows you to define compile-time constants.	Groovy does not have a `const` keyword.
31	Kotlin has a `reified` keyword, which allows you to access the type of a generic parameter at runtime.	Groovy does not have a `reified` keyword.
32	Kotlin has a `suspend` keyword, which allows you to mark a function as a coroutine.	Groovy does not have a `suspend` keyword.
33	Kotlin has a `@JvmOverloads` annotation, which generates overloaded Java methods with default parameter values.	Groovy does not have a `@JvmOverloads` annotation.
34	Kotlin has a `@JvmStatic` annotation, which generates static Java methods for companion object members.	Groovy does not have a `@JvmStatic` annotation.
35	Kotlin has a `@JvmName` annotation, which allows you to specify the name of a generated Java method or field.	Groovy does not have a `@JvmName` annotation.
36	Kotlin has a `@Throws` annotation, which allows you to declare exceptions that a function can throw.	Groovy does not have a `@Throws` annotation.
37	Kotlin has a `@Deprecated` annotation, which allows you to mark a function or property as deprecated.	Groovy also has a `@Deprecated` annotation.
38	Kotlin has a `@JvmField` annotation, which generates a public Java field for a property.	Groovy does not have a `@JvmField` annotation.
39	Kotlin has a `@JvmSuppressWildcards` annotation, which allows you to suppress wildcard type errors in Java interop.	Groovy does not have a `@JvmSuppressWildcards` annotation.
40	Kotlin has a `@JvmDefault` annotation, which generates default methods for interfaces in Java 8+.	Groovy does not have a `@JvmDefault` annotation.
41	Kotlin has a `@file:JvmName` annotation, which allows you to specify the name of a generated Java file.	Groovy does not have a `@file:JvmName` annotation.
42	Kotlin has a `@file:JvmMultifileClass` annotation, which allows you to generate multiple Java classes from a single Kotlin file.	Groovy does not have a `@file:JvmMultifileClass` annotation.
43	Kotlin has a `@file:JvmSynthetic` annotation, which allows you to mark a symbol as synthetic, so it will not be visible to Java code.	Groovy does not have a `@file:JvmSynthetic` annotation.
44	Kotlin has a `data` class keyword, which automatically generates `equals()`, `hashCode()`, and `toString()` methods based on the properties of the class.	Groovy does not have a `data` class keyword.
45	Kotlin has a `sealed` class keyword, which allows you to define a closed hierarchy of classes that cannot be extended outside the file where they are declared.	Groovy does not have a `sealed` class keyword.
46	Kotlin has a `object` keyword, which allows you to define a singleton object.	Groovy does not have a `object` keyword, but you can define a singleton using a closure.
47	Kotlin has a `companion object` keyword, which allows you to define a singleton object that is associated with a class.	Groovy does not have a `companion object` keyword, but you can define a static inner class.
48	Kotlin has a `init` block, which allows you to initialize properties of a class.	Groovy also has an `init` block.
49	Kotlin has a `by` keyword, which allows you to delegate a property to another object.	Groovy also has a `by` keyword.
50	Kotlin has a `private` modifier, which allows you to make a member accessible only within the file where it is declared.	Groovy does not have a `private` modifier, but you can achieve a similar effect using an underscore prefix.

Difference Between Kotlin and Groovy | Conclusion

Kotlin and Groovy are both excellent programming languages with their own unique features and advantages. While Kotlin is known for its type safety, null safety, and interoperability with Java, Groovy excels in its dynamic nature, concise syntax, and ability to write code in a more fluid and expressive way. Whether you choose Kotlin or Groovy, both languages offer a range of powerful features that make them valuable tools for modern software development. By understanding the differences between the two, developers can make informed decisions about which language is best suited for their needs and take full advantage of the benefits each one has to offer.

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