So here’s how we’ll dissect the inline keyword: The only way forward is dissecting and understanding each individual functionality that the inline keyword provides and what would happen without it. Also, the fact that it opens up a port for having the capabilities to perform type reification (in a way) is just amazing!īut, if it’s so powerful and such an important component, why is it often ignored by developers alike? What would happen if we don’t use it? Why do we have to specify it explicitly for its magic to work? Can’t it be done as a default at the language level since Kotlin has its own compiler? Not forgetting the fact that it also enables us to write lambdas for applications targeting java versions below Java 8, which do not support the same at the language level without using any external tools. Unlike other language features, this one is a bit under-recognized. For example, speedLimit.Now back to where we were, Kotlin has a reserved keyword called inline. If you choose a variable name having more than one word, use all lowercase letters for the first word and capitalize the first letter of each subsequent word.For example, score, number, level makes more sense than variable name such as s, n, and l although they valid. When creating variables, choose a name that makes sense.An identifier cannot contain symbols such as # etc.An identifier starts with a letter or underscore followed by zero, letter and digits.Here are the rules and conventions for naming a variable (identifier) in Kotlin: Here, var is a keyword, and salary is the name given to the variable (identifier). Identifiers are the name given to variables, classes, methods etc. Some soft variables in Koltin are: override, private, field etc. You can also create a variable named public. Public acts as a keyword when you are making members of a class public. Soft keywords are treated as keywords only in certain context. Here's a list of all keywords in Kotlin: Kotlin keywords List asĮxcept these 28 hard keywords, there are many soft keywords in Kotlin. Hence, you cannot declare a variable named for in Kotlin. For example:īoth val and for are keywords. Since keywords are part of the Kotlin syntax, you cannot use them as a variable name (identifier). These words cannot be used as an identifier. Keywords are predefined, reserved words used in Kotlin programming that have special meanings to the compiler.

Internal keyword kotlin