Do you know what exactly Kotlin Multiplatform is?

Some define this Multiplatform as an SDK and extension, whereas several others term it as a way of living.’

According to the topmost App Development Company in the USA, Kotlin is an app development platform that allows developers to write business logic codes for iOS and Android through a single codebase. In fact, it is the Alpha- with features and tools that may change in the future releases of the multiplatform.

How is it Different from the Other Popular App Development Platforms?

Unlike other application development platforms, Kotlin offers multiplatform solutions. Firstly, it converts the development process into a smoother and manageable journey. As a result, it allows you to run compiled code directly on the native platforms rather than through a virtual machine or webview-like solutions.

Secondly, Kotlin Multiplatform Mobile ensures a fully native user experience as it doesn’t enable the sharing of UI logic across the different platforms. This leaves iOS developers with no other choice than to use Apple’s frameworks, similar to Xamarin.

Whereas in solutions like React Native (and other webview-like solutions), the code acts as a bridge between the native iOS platforms and JavaScript. This usually results in speed difficulties and poor animations in comparison with native apps. On the other hand, though Flutter fixes many difficulties that React Native generally has, it doesn’t guarantee a 100% native user experience.

Therefore, Kotlin Multiplatform is the only solution that can resolve all these issues.

How does it Work?

The journey of this mobile multiplatform starts with enabling the developers to draft and write the common Kotlin code. These codes are usable for every platform as they get compiled to bytecode for Android and native for iOS.

In fact, the developers can utilize the Kotlin mechanism of anticipated and actual declarations while writing the codes that need to access platform-specific APIs. One of the most significant advantages is that the developers can use code from platform-dependent libraries such as Foundation and UIKit for iOS.

Therefore, it is possible to share 70-80% of code across mobile platforms and, in fact, 90% on “simple” apps using the Kotlin Multiplatform. And, adding a new platform is just a matter of implementation of the UI code.

What are the Pros and Cons of Kotlin Multiplatform?

Though Kotlin Multiplatform is now gaining immense popularity, it still brings certain hurdles that need to be overcome irrespective of its advantages. In fact, most developers at the top mobile app development company in Austin are compatible with native iOS and Android.

Advantages of Kotlin Multiplatform:

It Reduces Development Time:

Kotlin Multiplatform is adapted to modify the app development process and accelerates the app delivery. As a unique feature, one developer (iOS developer) would add networking, model objects, business logic, and unit tests to the module. After that, the other one (Android developer) would simply plug in the feature. This entire process cuts down the extra efforts and time exponentially.

It Improves the Code Quality:

Unexpectedly, sharing a codebase has specific positive outcomes. This multiplatform allows both iOS and Android Developers to connect with each other with better communication and deal with the logical errors in or before the development. It also supports higher functional consistency between the applications. Furthermore, Kotlin gives way to inherent modularity along with code testability.

It Allows the Creation of Maintainable Code:

Kotlin allows both applications, i.e., Android and iOS, to use the same code for the business logic. As a result, it becomes quite easy and quick to test and incorporate new features. Also, the new developers can efficiently work on the coding without any extensive knowledge transfer as they are modular and testable code.

Disadvantages of Kotlin Multiplatform:

It Takes Longer Time for Project Setup:

As per the research, the project initialization over the Kotlin Multiplatform usually occupies more time than expected. As it is a new platform, the developers have to brainstorm and settle on the right approach for developing the application architecture, Git repository management, Jira tickets, CI/CD, etc.

It Requires a Cross-Functional Team:

Undoubtedly, Kotlin is a trustable multiplatform in the app development industry. But simultaneously, it involves huge efforts and enthusiasm of the development team to design the common code. The code largely depends on the Android developers and leaves iOS developers in the queue for the business logic to be ready. So, it is vital to have a cross-functional team of developers who can pave the way towards this multiplatform development.

Is Kotlin Multiplatform a Good Choice?

The Best App Development Company in Austin highly recommends Kotlini for developing cross-platform solutions. In fact, several development teams all over the US market love working with this Multiplatform. However, it is not the same story for everyone. There are several factors that must be checked thoroughly before selecting a platform for developing a mobile app. These include the app’s complexity and its dependency on OS-dependent attributes, the development team involved, and alike. Therefore, based on all of this – you can build a reliable and well-tested code for your project on the platform of your choice!