🛠️ Getting Started with Kotlin – Environment Setup, First Program & Online Compiler
🧲 Introduction – Set Up Your Kotlin Environment & Write Your First Program
Before you begin building apps with Kotlin, it’s crucial to understand the setup requirements, IDE configuration, and basic syntax to get started quickly and efficiently. Whether you’re working locally on your machine or trying code online, Kotlin makes the onboarding process beginner-friendly.
This section will help you configure your Kotlin development environment, write your first Hello World program, and even test code online via the Kotlin Playground—no installation needed.
🎯 In this guide, you’ll learn:
- How to install Kotlin using JDK and IntelliJ IDEA
- How to write and run your first Kotlin program
- How to use Kotlin Playground for quick experimentation
- How Kotlin source code is compiled and executed
📘 Topics Covered
| ⚙️ Topic | 📖 Description |
|---|---|
| 🧰 Kotlin – Environment Setup | Installing JDK, setting up IntelliJ IDEA or Android Studio, and configuring Kotlin plugins. |
| 🧪 Kotlin – Get Started | Writing your first Kotlin program (Hello World) and understanding file structure. |
| 🌐 Kotlin – Compiler (Try Online) | Using Kotlin Playground to experiment with code directly in your browser. |
🔍 Detailed Sections & Examples
🧰 Kotlin – Environment Setup
To start coding in Kotlin, install the following:
- Java Development Kit (JDK) – Kotlin requires JDK 8+
- IntelliJ IDEA – Official JetBrains IDE (Community Edition is free)
- Kotlin Plugin – Comes preinstalled in IntelliJ IDEA
✅ Installation Steps:
# For Linux or Mac (Terminal)
sudo apt install openjdk-17-jdk
Then download IntelliJ IDEA from jetbrains.com/idea.
🧪 Kotlin – Get Started (Hello World)
Here’s a basic Kotlin program:
fun main() {
println("Hello, Kotlin!")
}
📌 Explanation:
fun main()defines the entry point of the Kotlin program.println()prints output to the console.- No semicolon is required—Kotlin uses cleaner syntax than Java.
▶️ Running This in IntelliJ:
- Open IntelliJ → New Project → Kotlin/JVM
- Create a new Kotlin file (
Main.kt) - Paste code and click ▶ to run
🌐 Kotlin – Compiler (Try Kotlin Online)
For beginners or fast prototyping, you can try Kotlin online at:
🔗 play.kotlinlang.org
Just paste the code:
fun main() {
println("Running on Kotlin Playground!")
}
✅ Advantages:
- No installation required
- Useful for testing snippets, learning syntax, or sharing code online
📌 Summary – Recap & Next Steps
Getting started with Kotlin is smooth and efficient, thanks to excellent tooling and online support. Whether using IntelliJ locally or Kotlin Playground in your browser, you can write your first program in just a few minutes.
🔍 Key Takeaways:
- Install JDK and IntelliJ IDEA to run Kotlin programs locally.
- Use Kotlin Playground to test code instantly without setup.
- Your first Kotlin program uses a
main()function andprintln()for output.
⚙️ Practical Use Cases:
- Quickly testing logic or algorithms online
- Developing apps with full IDE support
- Starting Android development with Kotlin setup pre-integrated
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Do I need IntelliJ IDEA to write Kotlin code?
✅ No, but it’s recommended. You can also use Android Studio, VS Code with plugins, or online tools like Kotlin Playground.
❓ Which JDK version should I install for Kotlin?
✅ Kotlin works well with JDK 8 and above. JDK 17+ is recommended for long-term support.
❓ Is Kotlin Playground enough to learn Kotlin?
✅ It’s great for learning syntax and quick tests, but you’ll need a local IDE for full-scale app development.
❓ What file extension do Kotlin programs use?
✅ .kt for regular Kotlin files, .kts for Kotlin scripts.
❓ Can I run Kotlin on mobile?
✅ Yes. Kotlin is the official language for Android app development, supported by Android Studio.
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