Top Programming Languages for Android App Development

Jellyfish Technologies
5 min readJan 9, 2024

Android applications are topping the charts with a high number of yearly downloads and installations and so is the Android development. Maybe it is the simplicity they provide to users or the developers. A highly accessible and easy-to-use approach Android applications are more desirable than iOS applications.

Whichever way, securing the major position in the mobile application industry, android applications are steadfast solutions to launch businesses of varying sizes with light and highly optimized interfaces.

Android application development is not a big deal. They are easier to code and need the basics of coding languages and syntax to write meaningful codes that function as intended.

So, if you are a software developer with beginner-level software development skills then this blog will give you an experience with the common and frequently used languages for Android app development. Also, the article will give you an insight into which language is best for Android applications.

Let’s get started!

Kotlin

Kotlin

Created by JetBrains, the language is statistically typed and works on the Java Virtual Machine (JVM). One of the biggest benefits of the language Kotlin is its concise code syntax and its ability to be compiled with JavaScript or native code effortlessly. Being a popular choice for Android software development, the language is easier to read code that creates less verbose and resultingly faster compilation. With a limited set of libraries and easy refactoring, Kotlin is becoming the fastest-growing choice for Android application development.

Java

Java

Being the most widely used programming language in existence, Java is highly compatible and can run on cross-platforms wherever the virtual machine is installed. Developed to have fewer compilation dependencies, Java is a popular programming language for Android applications. When compiled with Kotlin, the language provides top-notch compatibility for Android devices. Also, being one of the easiest languages to learn, the Android app development language is great for beginners who may find extensive libraries to improve their code to be project-specific without visiting forums or social media groups. Java is the straightforward and blunt answer to ‘which is the most commonly used language in Android applications.’

C++

C++

A popular programming language since 1979, C++ is a fast language with an easy-to-use syntax. With excellent abilities to create intuitive interfaces, the programming languages are heavily used in applications like gaming, machine learning, and desktop applications. With its capacity to run while using less RAM, the programming language can be used for cross-platform, like Android as well as iOS. However, difficult to understand, the language may be limited to expert developers because of its multiple versions with each having its different syntaxes.

C#

C#

It’s a sturdy and powerful object-oriented programming language, developed by Microsoft. One great advantage of using the C# for developing an Android application is the availability of all the tools required to develop an Android application from scratch like an Integrated Development Environment without purchasing additional tools to finish an Android project. C# allows developers to write and code their programs in a simplified and precise manner to enable easy reading and code improvements. A highly versatile language with the Common Language Runtime operation, C# can be cross-compiled to run on multiple platforms seamlessly.

JavaScript

JavaScript

Being a lightweight and interpreted coding language, working on a similar syntax as the language C, JavaScript emerges as the best language for network-centric applications. If the need for a responsive user design and swift application emerges, then JavaScript emerges as the best Android app programming language. JavaScript is a fast and comparatively less complicated language such as C++. This makes the language a fabulous choice to create an Android app and rev up the process. With the introduction of Node.js, JavaScript can also perform effortlessly in the backend. Another strong point of JavaScript is its interoperability and integration into various applications due to seamless support from languages like Perl and PHP, making it more pervasive across the web.

Dart

Dart

A powerful and open-source language, developed by Google, Dart is highly effective in both the client and the user side of Android application development. It demonstrates high versatility and wide utilization in both Android and iOS applications. Going beyond, Dart can also be used for IoT and web applications using the Flutter framework. Carrying a resemblance with familiar languages like C, JavaScript, and Java, Dart surfaces as a modern language with enhanced and abundant capabilities, making it a dynamic and object-oriented one.

Conclusion

Developing the best Android application begins with selecting the best programming language. Since the scope of Android applications is variable and demands specific requirements, the coding of Android apps should be selected with considerations, such as syntax complexity, language support, interoperability, and cross-functionality.

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Jellyfish Technologies

Since the year 2011, having proven expertise in Web, Mobile, API development, UI/UX design, BigData, IoT and Blockchain.