Kotlin: Learning Resources For Beginners
Tags: kotlin, kotlinfyi, beginners, android
Published: 2020-08-02 02:02:13

---
title: Kotlin: Learning Resources For Beginners
published: true
description: A helpful post to dynamically keep track of good resources for anyone beginning their journey into Kotlin
tags: kotlin, kotlinfyi, beginners, android
series: 30 Days of Kotlin
//cover_image: https://direct_url_to_image.jpg
---

> _Last Updated: Aug 4, 2020_
> I made a resolution to kick off #30days of learning on Aug 1, 2020. I focused on a new programming language:[Kotlin](https://www.kotlinlang.org)! Here's a quick intro.

{% link https://dev.to/azure/kotlin-fyi-kotlin-in-thirty-seconds-4n8 %}

> Want to kickstart your own Kotlin journey? 
> Three things you can do:

 * 🔖 Bookmark (👈🏽) this page | _Be notified of updates!_
 * ✅ Follow [#kotlinfyi](https://dev.to/t/kotlinfyi) and [#kotlin](https://dev.to/t/kotlin) tags | _Find relevant people!_
 * 📚 Read my [_Kotlin FYI_] (https://dev.to/t/kotlinfyi/latest) series | _Start your #30Days Journey_

---

## About This Article

In Jun 2018, I was into my learning journey into [Flutter](https://flutter.dev) when I created the following post to help share my learnings and connect with other enthusiasts:

{% link https://dev.to/flutterfyi/flutter-learning-resources-for-beginners-5719 %}

Two years later, I still hear from folks who find it valuable. So as I start _this_ journey, I hope this post does the same for Kotlin! 

> _Bookmark this post_ to get updates as I add new resources! And drop me a comment if you have recommendations or insights!

---

## What is Kotlin?

According to the [Kotlin website](https://kotlinlang.org/), it is an **open-source** modern programming language that can be used for mobile cross-platform apps, server-side development, web development, data science and native experiences! For the latter, [current support includes](https://kotlinlang.org/docs/reference/native-overview.html) Windows, Linux, MacOS, Android, iOS, WebAssembly and more.

As of 2019, it is also Google's [preferred language for Android development](https://techcrunch.com/2019/05/07/kotlin-is-now-googles-preferred-language-for-android-app-development/) just [2 years after first being officially supported](https://techcrunch.com/2017/05/17/google-makes-kotlin-a-first-class-language-for-writing-android-apps/) - a remarkable journey!

Over the next #30Days I'll start unpacking the buzzwords and diving into the _why_ and _how_ of software development with Kotlin in a series of posts covering concepts and code.

> _Follow the [kotlinfyi](https://dev.to/t/kotlinfyi) tag_ for my article updates, or post your own!

---

## Why explore Kotlin?

There are many reasons to do this and it helps to have the right goals and motivation. Here are mine:

> It's a popular language, and likely to be in demand.

Kotlin has been [the fastest growing language in the past two years](https://www.zdnet.com/article/programming-languages-javascript-now-used-by-12-million-developers-but-kotlin-rises-fastest/) with 2M+ devs, and growing.

The [TIOBE Index](https://www.tiobe.com/tiobe-index/) has it at #27 in July 2020 (a small move up the rankings) while the [2019 Octoverse report](https://octoverse.github.com/) listed it at #4 in the fastest-growing languages that year. Even the [IEEE Computer Society Trends Section](https://www.computer.org/publications/tech-news/trends/programming-languages-you-should-learn-in-2020) ranked Kotlin at #2 in popularity, only second to Python. And in the recent [2020 StackOverflow Survey](https://insights.stackoverflow.com/survey/2020#most-loved-dreaded-and-wanted) (of 65K devs), it ranked #4 in the most-loved languages category.  _In summary, it can't hurt to learn it - and it might even help!_
<br/>

> It's the preferred language for Android development

Despite COVID challenges, [data shows](https://www.idc.com/promo/smartphone-market-share/os) that Android still dominates the global smartphone market. With Kotlin being the preferred language for Android app development, it's likely the better bet for mobile devs. 

Added incentive? The [Microsoft Surface Duo](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/surface/devices/surface-duo) is a unique foldable Android device and I can't wait to start playing with the [dual-screen SDK and samples](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dual-screen/android/?WT.mc_id=kotlinfyi-devto-ninarasi)
<br/>

> I want to learn in public and reclaim the term 'beginner'

I recently wrote this post on why I felt we needed to reclaim the term _beginner_ and make it something that empowers people instead of undermining their confidence and contribution. 

{% link  https://dev.to/nitya/i-m-a-lifelong-beginner-are-you-2ac6 %}

With this journey, I want to walk the talk and _learn in public_, sharing my successes and failures in a way that destigmatizes the learner journey and revels in the joy of creating value, gaining and sharing knowledge.

---

## Where do I start?

That is exactly what this post is for. Bookmark it to be notified of updates. Over the next #30Days I will be adding resources to it daily as I start navigating, learning and sharing my own journey through the Kotlin universe!

Join me!

---

## Documentation (❶ start here)
1. [Kotlinlang.org](https://kotlinlang.org/) - official docs for the language!
2. [Develop Android Apps With Kotlin](https://developer.android.com/kotlin/) - Kotlin for Android dev.

---

## Courses & Codelabs (❷ skill up)
1. [Google Android Codelabs](https://codelabs.developers.google.com/?cat=Android) 
2. [Kotlin Bootcamp for Programmers](https://www.udacity.com/course/kotlin-bootcamp-for-programmers--ud9011) - Udacity, 2020
3. [Developing Android Apps With Kotlin](https://www.udacity.com/course/developing-android-apps-with-kotlin--ud9012) - Udacity, 2020
4. [Advanced Apps in Kotlin](https://www.udacity.com/course/advanced-android-with-kotlin--ud940) - Udacity, 2020

---

## Books, Podcasts & Streams (❸ read, listen & learn)
1. [Talking Kotlin](https://talkingkotlin.com/) 🎙
2. [Fragmented: Learning Kotlin](https://fragmentedpodcast.com/category/episodes/learning-kotlin/) 🎙
3. [Kotlin Cookbook] 📚(https://www.oreilly.com/library/view/kotlin-cookbook/9781492046660/) by [Ken Kousen](https://twitter.com/kenkousen). With [code repo!](https://github.com/kousen/kotlin-cookbook)

---

## People (❹ connect & grow)

Scan the [Google Developer Experts Directory](https://developers.google.com/community/experts/directory) to find global practioners! 
Follow the [#kotlin](https://dev.to/t/kotlin) tag to find others in _this_ community! 

 1. [Huyen Tue Dao](https://developers.google.com/community/experts/directory/profile/profile-huyen_tue_dao)| [@queencodemonkey](https://twitter.com/queencodemonkey) ➡️ see her [talks](https://www.randomlytyping.com/speaking)
 2. [Annyce Davis](https://developers.google.com/community/experts/directory/profile/profile-annyce_davis) | [@brwngrldev](https://twitter.com/brwngrldev) ➡ take her [courses](https://www.linkedin.com/learning/instructors/annyce-davis?u=3322)!
3. [Hadi Hariri](https://hadihariri.com/) | [@hhariri](https://twitter.com/hhariri) ➡ Developer Advocacy Lead (JetBrains), Hosts _Talking Kotlin_ (Podcast)