🧱 Kotlin Syntax & Language Basics – Variables, Data Types, Operators & More
🧲 Introduction – Learn the Building Blocks of Kotlin Programming
Before diving into classes, functions, and control structures, you must master the core Kotlin syntax and language fundamentals. This foundation ensures you can write clear, concise, and idiomatic Kotlin code from the start.
From declaring variables with val
and var
to using basic data types, operators, and inline comments, Kotlin’s clean syntax is designed to reduce boilerplate and increase code safety.
🎯 In this guide, you’ll learn:
- How to write syntactically correct Kotlin code
- How to use variables, constants, and type inference effectively
- Which data types and literals are available in Kotlin
- How to apply arithmetic, logical, and relational operators
- How to use comments and reserved keywords
📘 Topics Covered
🧩 Topic | 📖 Description |
---|---|
📝 Kotlin – Syntax | General structure of Kotlin programs, formatting, indentation, and semicolons. |
📤 Kotlin – Output | Displaying data using println() and print() functions. |
💬 Kotlin – Comments | Single-line (// ) and multi-line (/* */ ) comment syntax. |
🗝️ Kotlin – Keywords | Reserved words that cannot be used as variable or function names. |
📦 Kotlin – Variables (val vs var) | Immutable vs mutable variables and declaration rules. |
🔢 Kotlin – Data Types | Basic types like Int , Double , Char , String , Boolean . |
🧠 Kotlin – Type Inference | Automatic data type detection during variable initialization. |
➗ Kotlin – Operators | Arithmetic, comparison, logical, assignment, and bitwise operators. |
🎯 Kotlin – Constants & Literals | Declaring read-only values and understanding literal types in code. |
🔍 Detailed Sections & Examples
📝 Kotlin – Syntax
fun main() {
println("Hello, Kotlin Syntax!")
}
💡 Explanation:
fun
defines a function.main()
is the program entry point.println()
prints text to console.- No semicolons needed—Kotlin handles it automatically.
📤 Kotlin – Output
print("Hello")
println(" World")
📌 Output: Hello World
print()
does not add a newline.println()
prints and adds a newline.
💬 Kotlin – Comments
// This is a single-line comment
/*
This is a
multi-line comment
*/
🧠 Use comments for clarification, documentation, or debugging help.
🗝️ Kotlin – Keywords
Examples of reserved keywords in Kotlin:
val, var, fun, class, if, else, for, while, return, object, try
⚠️ These cannot be used as variable names unless enclosed in backticks:
val `class` = "Reserved but escaped"
📦 Kotlin – Variables (val vs var)
val name = "Alice" // Immutable
var age = 30 // Mutable
📌 val
➝ read-only
📌 var
➝ reassignable
🔢 Kotlin – Data Types
Type | Example |
---|---|
Int | val x = 10 |
Double | val pi = 3.14 |
Char | val ch = 'A' |
String | val name = "Joe" |
Boolean | val isOn = true |
🧠 Kotlin – Type Inference
val city = "London" // Inferred as String
val year = 2025 // Inferred as Int
Kotlin automatically determines the type based on the value.
➗ Kotlin – Operators
Arithmetic Operators:
val sum = 10 + 5
val mod = 10 % 3
Relational:
val isEqual = (5 == 5)
Logical:
val result = (5 > 3) && (2 < 4)
Assignment:
var a = 10
a += 5 // a becomes 15
🎯 Kotlin – Constants & Literals
const val PI = 3.14159
const val
is used for compile-time constants- Supports
Int
,String
,Boolean
, and basic literals only
📌 Summary – Recap & Next Steps
Understanding Kotlin’s syntax and basic language elements helps you write efficient, readable, and safe code. With type inference, expressive operators, and streamlined output, Kotlin offers a productive coding experience right from the start.
🔍 Key Takeaways:
- Kotlin code is clean—no need for semicolons or verbose syntax.
- Use
val
for immutability andvar
for reassignable variables. - Kotlin supports all major data types with smart type inference.
- Comments, keywords, and constants follow standard conventions.
⚙️ Practical Use Cases:
- Define and manipulate variables in business logic
- Write conditions, calculations, and string manipulations
- Prepare for functions, classes, and OOP constructs
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What’s the difference between val
and const val
?
✅ val
is runtime-assigned, const val
is compile-time constant used at the top level or inside objects.
❓ Is Kotlin statically typed?
✅ Yes. Despite type inference, Kotlin is statically typed—types are checked at compile time.
❓ Can I reassign a val
variable?
✅ No. val
is immutable. Use var
if reassignment is needed.
❓ Do I have to declare variable types explicitly?
✅ No, thanks to type inference, but you can for clarity or readability.
val age: Int = 30
❓ What happens if I try to use a keyword as a variable?
✅ It will cause a compile error unless wrapped in backticks:
val `return` = "keyword as variable"
Share Now :