Unlocking the Power of Kotlin: Output and Input Made Easy
Getting Started with Kotlin Output
When it comes to sending output to the standard output (screen), Kotlin provides two essential functions: println() and print(). But what’s the difference between them? Let’s dive in!
print() simply prints the string inside the quotes, whereas println() does the same, but then moves the cursor to the beginning of the next line. This subtle difference can greatly impact the readability of your output.
The Secret Behind println()
Ever wondered what happens behind the scenes when you use println()? It internally calls System.out.println(), a Java function used to print output to the screen. In fact, if you’re using IntelliJ IDEA, you can navigate to the declaration file of println() by placing your cursor next to it and pressing Ctrl + B (or Cmd + B on Mac). You’ll see that it indeed calls System.out.println().
Example Time!
Let’s see these functions in action. In our first example, we’ll use both print() and println() to demonstrate their differences.
Outputting Variables and Literals
But what if you want to print variables and literals? Kotlin makes it easy! You can simply pass them as arguments to print() or println(), and the output will be exactly what you expect.
Now, Let’s Talk Input
So far, we’ve covered output, but what about input? How do you take input from the user in Kotlin?
The readLine() Function
To read a line of string in Kotlin, you can use the readLine() function. This function allows you to take input as a string, which can then be converted to other data types explicitly.
Example: Printing User Input
Let’s see how to use readLine() to print a string entered by the user.
Getting Input of Other Data Types
What if you need input of other data types, such as integers? Kotlin provides a solution for that too! You can use the Scanner object from the Java standard library to take input of various data types.
Example: Getting Integer Input
Let’s see how to use the Scanner object to get integer input from the user.
With these examples, you’re now equipped to handle output and input in Kotlin like a pro!