The latest release of Kotlin, version 2.2.20, brings exciting updates that boost its cross-platform development features. The biggest highlight is the introduction of Kotlin/Wasm in beta, which allows developers to compile Kotlin code into WebAssembly. This opens up new possibilities for building web applications that run smoothly across different environments. Along with this, the update offers improvements in JavaScript compatibility, dependency management, and debugging tools, making Kotlin even more versatile for modern development needs.

WebAssembly Support Gets a Major Boost

The standout feature of this release is the beta version of Kotlin/Wasm. Developers can now experiment with compiling Kotlin code into WebAssembly, a technology that enables high-performance web applications. Although still in early testing, this feature provides a glimpse into how Kotlin can be used for building web apps that run directly in browsers and other Wasm-supported environments. JetBrains emphasizes that core components are stable and ready for production use, but the WebAssembly features are still evolving.

This approach allows developers to try out WebAssembly integration and give feedback, helping improve the feature before it reaches full stability. It’s a strategic move to foster innovation while maintaining the reliability users expect from Kotlin. The beta release signals Kotlin’s commitment to expanding into new cross-platform territories and supporting the latest web technologies.

Other Key Improvements in Kotlin 2.2.20

The update also introduces several enhancements across Kotlin’s ecosystem. Multiplatform support now makes Swift export a default option, simplifying code sharing between Kotlin and iOS platforms. This makes it easier for developers working on apps targeting multiple environments. Additionally, a new way to declare common dependencies has been added, streamlining project setup for those using Gradle 8.8 or newer. This change reduces errors and makes dependency management more straightforward.

In the core language, improvements include refined overload resolution, especially when passing lambdas to suspend functions. Kotlin/Native now supports stack canaries, which help detect stack overflows, improving stability. The release binaries are also smaller, making deployment easier. Kotlin/JS has been upgraded to handle large numbers better by compiling Long values into JavaScript BigInt, enhancing accuracy and performance for applications dealing with big integers.

Overall, these updates aim to give developers more tools and flexibility for building reliable, high-performance cross-platform apps. The continuous improvements show Kotlin’s focus on keeping pace with modern development trends and needs. Looking ahead, some features previewed in this release are set to be part of Kotlin 3.0, including better overload resolution for lambdas and support for return statements in expression bodies with explicit return types.

The latest Kotlin plugin, compatible with version 2.2.20, is already bundled into the newest versions of IntelliJ IDEA and Android Studio. Developers eager to try out these new features can find installation instructions on the JetBrains blog. With these ongoing updates, Kotlin remains a strong choice for developers aiming to build versatile, cross-platform applications that meet the demands of today’s software landscape.

Inspired by

• https://www.infoworld.com/article/4056077/kotlin-2-2-20-boosts-webassembly-support.html

Sources

• kotlinlang.org
• jetbrains.com