Diving into the world of programming languages, we’re thrilled to sit down with Anand Naidu, our resident development expert. With a wealth of experience in both frontend and backend development, Anand brings a unique perspective on various coding languages, particularly Kotlin. Today, we’re exploring the latest release of Kotlin 2.2.20, unpacking its exciting updates like the beta status of Kotlin/Wasm, advancements in Kotlin Multiplatform, and enhancements across other components. This conversation promises to shed light on how these changes impact developers and what they mean for the future of multiplatform development.
Can you give us a broad picture of what’s new in Kotlin 2.2.20 and why this release is significant?
Absolutely, Kotlin 2.2.20 is a pretty exciting update from JetBrains. It brings a host of improvements across the board, with the standout being the beta release of Kotlin/Wasm for WebAssembly compilation. Beyond that, there are meaningful updates to Kotlin Multiplatform, Kotlin/Native, and Kotlin/JS, as well as some tweaks to the language itself. What makes this release significant is how it pushes the boundaries of multiplatform development, offering developers more tools and flexibility to build across different environments, from web to native applications.
What does it mean for Kotlin/Wasm to reach beta status, and how does this impact developers interested in WebAssembly?
Reaching beta status for Kotlin/Wasm is a big deal—it means the feature is stable enough for wider testing but not quite production-ready. Developers can now experiment with compiling Kotlin code into WebAssembly with better support for things like exception handling in JavaScript interop, managing NPM dependencies, and debugging in browsers. For devs, this opens up opportunities to build high-performance web apps, but they should be aware it’s still a work in progress and might have some rough edges. JetBrains is actively seeking feedback to refine it further.
Why do you think JetBrains includes beta features like Kotlin/Wasm in a stable release, and what are the pros and cons of this approach?
JetBrains’ strategy here is to strike a balance between stability and innovation. By including beta features in a stable release, they give developers early access to cutting-edge tools like Kotlin/Wasm, which helps gather real-world feedback to improve the feature before it’s fully stable. The upside is that devs can start experimenting and shaping the tool’s future. The downside is the potential for bugs or incomplete functionality, which could frustrate some users if they’re not prepared for a beta experience.
Let’s talk about Kotlin Multiplatform. How does making Swift export available by default change the game for developers?
Having Swift export available by default in Kotlin Multiplatform is a game-changer for cross-platform developers, especially those targeting iOS. It simplifies the process of integrating Kotlin code with Swift, making it easier to share logic between Android and iOS apps without extra configuration. This reduces friction in development workflows and lets teams focus more on building features rather than wrestling with setup, ultimately speeding up the process of creating cohesive multiplatform apps.
What are the benefits of stable cross-platform compilation for Kotlin libraries in this update?
Stable cross-platform compilation for Kotlin libraries means developers can now rely on consistent behavior when building libraries that target multiple platforms. This stability ensures that code behaves predictably whether it’s running on JVM, Native, or other environments. It’s a huge win for library authors and app developers alike because it reduces compatibility issues, saves debugging time, and builds confidence in using Kotlin for complex, multiplatform projects.
How does the new approach to declaring common dependencies with Gradle 8.8 or higher streamline development?
The new method of declaring common dependencies in a top-level block using Gradle 8.8 or higher is a nice quality-of-life improvement. It allows developers to define shared dependencies more cleanly within the kotlin {} block, avoiding the clutter of platform-specific configurations. This makes build scripts easier to read and maintain, especially in larger projects, and helps teams manage dependencies more efficiently across different targets.
Shifting to language improvements, can you explain how the enhanced overload resolution for lambdas with suspend function types affects coding in Kotlin?
Sure, this improvement in overload resolution for lambdas with suspend function types tackles a subtle but important pain point. Previously, the compiler could struggle to pick the right overload when dealing with suspending lambdas, leading to ambiguity or errors. Now, with better resolution logic, developers can write more concise and intuitive coroutine code without needing workarounds. It makes the language feel smoother and more predictable, especially for async programming.
Moving to Kotlin/Native, can you tell us what stack canaries are and why they matter in this context?
Stack canaries in Kotlin/Native are a security feature designed to detect stack buffer overflows, which can be a source of nasty bugs or vulnerabilities. Essentially, they’re like a guard value placed on the stack that gets checked for corruption during execution. If something overwrites the stack improperly, the canary catches it. For developers working on native binaries, this adds a layer of protection, helping to catch issues early and making apps more robust, especially in performance-critical scenarios.
How do smaller release binaries in Kotlin/Native benefit developers working on native applications?
Smaller release binaries in Kotlin/Native are a practical win for developers. By reducing the size of the compiled output, it means faster distribution and lower storage demands, which is crucial for apps running on devices with limited resources. It also speeds up deployment processes, whether you’re shipping to end users or testing internally. For teams building native apps, this translates to a more efficient workflow and a better user experience due to quicker downloads and updates.
Lastly, can you share your forecast for the future of Kotlin in multiplatform development over the next few years?
I’m really optimistic about Kotlin’s trajectory in multiplatform development. With updates like Kotlin 2.2.20, we’re seeing a clear focus on expanding its reach across web, mobile, and native environments. I expect JetBrains to keep refining tools like Kotlin/Wasm and Multiplatform, making them even more seamless and powerful. Over the next few years, I think Kotlin will solidify its position as a go-to language for cross-platform projects, potentially outpacing some competitors as more developers adopt it for its clarity and versatility. We might also see deeper integrations with emerging tech, further broadening its appeal.
