Project Roadmap Puts a Compiler Rewrite, Multiplatform Mobile Development, and WebAssembly at the Top of the To-Do List
Kotlin, the JetBrains-developed, statically typed language for JVM, Android, and web development, is due for a compiler rewrite, multiplatform mobile improvements, and a Kotlin-to-WebAssembly compiler back end, according to a public roadmap for the platform.
Unveiled on October 5, the roadmap covers priorities for the language, which received a strategic boost in 2017 when Google backed it for building Android mobile apps, alongside Java and C++. This endorsement significantly increased Kotlin’s popularity and adoption in the Android development community.
Compiler Rewrite and Enhancements
The compiler rewrite, noted on the roadmap as a key priority, would emphasize speed, parallelism, unification, and, ultimately, pluggability. Plans also call for having the new compiler compile itself, a move that aims to ensure the compiler is robust and efficient. The current compiler would continue to be maintained for bug-fixing, ensuring that ongoing projects remain stable while the new compiler is developed.
Roadmap Focus and Updates
The roadmap addresses primary areas the team is working on without committing to delivering features or fixes in specific versions. It spans a six-month time frame and will be updated every three months. This approach allows the Kotlin team to remain agile and responsive to the needs of the developer community while focusing on long-term improvements.
Kotlin Multiplatform Mobile
Another priority, Kotlin multiplatform mobile, calls for improving the user experience and feature set for sharing code on mobile platforms. This effort aims to make it easier for developers to write and maintain code that runs on both Android and iOS, leveraging Kotlin’s strengths in cross-platform development.
Additional Priorities
Other priorities cited in the roadmap include:
- JVM Server-Side Development: Enhancing support for JVM server-side use cases across the Kotlin ecosystem. This includes better integration with existing Java frameworks and tools, making Kotlin a more compelling choice for server-side applications.
- Change-Test-Debug Cycle: Making the change-test-debug cycle really fast. Speeding up this cycle can significantly boost developer productivity and satisfaction, leading to faster iterations and more robust applications.
- Kotlin IDE Performance and Stability: Improving the performance and stability of the Kotlin IDE. A more responsive and reliable development environment can help developers focus on writing code rather than dealing with tooling issues.
Conclusion
The roadmap showcases Kotlin’s commitment to evolving and meeting the needs of its growing developer base. With a focus on a new compiler, enhanced multiplatform mobile capabilities, and a Kotlin-to-WebAssembly back end, Kotlin is poised to continue its growth as a versatile and powerful language for modern software development