Paul Krill
Editor at Large

JetBrains updates Kotlin roadmap

news
Oct 29, 20242 mins

Key priorities include more efficient data handling, increased abstraction, and enhanced performance for the Kotlin language and faster code completion in the K2-based IntelliJ IDEA plugin.

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Credit: canadastock/Shutterstock

JetBrains has updated its Kotlin language roadmap, with key priorities that include more efficient data handling, increased abstraction, and enhanced performance. The company also promised faster code completion, highlighting, and search, along with more stable code analysis, in the K2-based IntelliJ IDEA plugin.

The Kotlin roadmap was updated in late-September, and the next update is planned for February 2025. Other goals for Kotlin call for improving compiler diagnostics, enabling the compiler to generate JVM default methods, implementing a new multiplatform API for the standard library, and implementing a new Dokka Gradle plugin based on Dokkatoo. Support for the WebAssembly Component Model in Kotlin/Wasm and support for debugging inline functions on Android also are on the agenda.

The K2-based IntelliJ Idea plugin, meanwhile, is set to offer faster code completion along with highlighting, search, and more stable code analysis. And Kotlin Multiplatform, for sharing code across mobile, web, or desktop platforms, will offer a direct Kotlin-to-Swift import, streamlined build setup, and simplified creation of multiplatform libraries. Plans for Kotlin Multiplatform also include driving the iOS target to a stable release.

Another key priority for Kotlin is improving the experience of third-party ecosystem authors, with a simplified development and publication process for Kotlin libraries, tools, and frameworks.

Paul Krill

Paul Krill is editor at large at InfoWorld. Paul has been covering computer technology as a news and feature reporter for more than 35 years, including 30 years at InfoWorld. He has specialized in coverage of software development tools and technologies since the 1990s, and he continues to lead InfoWorld’s news coverage of software development platforms including Java and .NET and programming languages including JavaScript, TypeScript, PHP, Python, Ruby, Rust, and Go. Long trusted as a reporter who prioritizes accuracy, integrity, and the best interests of readers, Paul is sought out by technology companies and industry organizations who want to reach InfoWorld’s audience of software developers and other information technology professionals. Paul has won a “Best Technology News Coverage” award from IDG.

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