What is Kotlin?
Learn the story of Kotlin — created by JetBrains in 2011, adopted by Google for Android in 2017 — and understand what makes it concise, safe, and enjoyable to write.
What is Kotlin? is a free Kotlin Academy lesson on CoddyKit — lesson 1 of 3. You can read the complete lesson below for free — then practise it hands-on in the browser with a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor. It is part of the Kotlin Academy learning path, one of 3 lessons in the course, and your progress syncs across the web and the CoddyKit app.
Welcome to Kotlin
Hey, you made it! 👋 Kotlin is a modern, friendly programming language. Let's get to know it together.
This track is tiny
This is the most beginner-friendly, micro-sized track here. Short steps, fast wins. You'll finish before you know it.
Meet Your AI Mentor 🤖
See the purple ✨ AI Mentor button at the bottom of every lesson? That is your personal tutor — free to try, available 24/7 on mobile and web.
Tap it whenever you are stuck and choose what you need:
- 💡 Explain Simply — turn anything confusing into plain words
- 📋 Step by Step — break a problem into clear steps
- 🗣️ Everyday Example — connect it to real life
There is also Mini Quiz, Code Example and Ask — ask it absolutely anything. You are never learning alone. 💜
Learn in Your Own Language 🌍
Prefer to learn in your native language? You can!
Tap the 🌐 translate button at the top-right of the lesson (it is in the top bar on the web too) and pick your language. Every lesson instantly appears in your own language.
Switch back any time — learn the way that feels easiest for you. 🙌
A language for computers
A programming language is just how you tell a computer what to do. Think of it as giving clear instructions to a helper.
Why Kotlin feels easy
Kotlin reads almost like plain English. Less typing, fewer surprises. It was designed to make your life simpler. 😊
Your first line
Here's how Kotlin says hello. Don't worry about every detail yet, just notice how clean it looks.
fun main() {
println("Hello, Kotlin!")
}Born from real needs
Kotlin was built by JetBrains, the team behind tools developers love. They wanted a language that's safe and pleasant to use.
Safe by design
Kotlin gently catches common mistakes before they cause crashes. Like a seatbelt for your code. 🛡️
You're rolling!
That's the heart of Kotlin: simple, safe, friendly. Next up: why phones everywhere run on it. 🚀
Quick Check
Quick one! Who created Kotlin?
Frequently asked questions
Is the “What is Kotlin?” lesson free?
Yes — the full text of “What is Kotlin?” is free to read here on the web, and the Kotlin Academy course includes 3 lessons in total. To practise it interactively (a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor) and unlock the rest of the Kotlin Academy course, upgrade to CoddyKit PRO.
What will I learn in “What is Kotlin?”?
Learn the story of Kotlin — created by JetBrains in 2011, adopted by Google for Android in 2017 — and understand what makes it concise, safe, and enjoyable to write. You practise Kotlin Academy with hands-on code you run directly in the browser, and a 24/7 AI tutor answers your questions as you work through the lesson.
Do I need any experience to start Kotlin Academy?
No prior experience is required. Kotlin Academy on CoddyKit is structured for beginners through advanced learners; this is — lesson 1 of 3, so you can start here or from the beginning and move at your own pace.
How long does the “What is Kotlin?” lesson take?
Most CoddyKit lessons take about 5–10 minutes. Each one is bite-sized and interactive, so you make steady progress and pick up exactly where you left off across the web and the app.
Can I write and run code in this Kotlin Academy lesson?
Yes. Every Kotlin Academy lesson includes a built-in code editor, so you write and run real code right in your browser and get instant AI feedback — no local setup required.
All lessons in this course
- What is Kotlin?
- Why Kotlin Powers Android
- Kotlin Beyond Android