Codelab Objectives

In this codelab, you’ll explore:

• Set Up and Get Started with Kotlin
   Install and configure a Kotlin development environment with essential tools
   Understand Kotlin’s role in Android, backend, and multiplatform projects
• Master Kotlin’s Fundamentals

   Write basic Kotlin syntax, define variables, and use type inference
   Work with the main() function and handle standard input/output
   Use arithmetic and logical operators in expressions
   Utilize string templates for dynamic text interpolation
• Control Flow and Functions

   Implement control flow using if, when, loops, and ranges
   Define and call functions with parameters and return values
   Organize code with local functions
   Use default arguments, named parameters, and vararg in functions
   Write single-expression functions for cleaner code
   Implement infix functions and operator overloading for concise syntax
• Type System, Null Safety & Exception Handling
   Perform type checks and smart casts for safe conversions
   Ensure null safety with nullable types and safe calls (?., ?:)
   Handle exceptions using try-catch, require(), and check()
• Collections with Basic Functional Code 
   Work with lists, sets, and maps in Kotlin
   Use extension functions to enhance existing classes
   Master scope functions (apply, with, let, also, run) for cleaner code
• Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) in Kotlin
   Define classes, constructors, and inheritance
   Apply Encapsulation, Inheritance, Polymorphism, and Abstraction
   Work with properties, initialization blocks, and companion objects
   Use visibility modifiers (private, protected, internal, public)
• Advanced Kotlin Features
   Leverage data classes and their auto-generated methods (copy())

   Implement sealed classes, interfaces, and enums for structured type hierarchies
   Improve readability with type aliases
   Optimize performance using inline functions

   Implement tail recursion to optimize recursive functions
• Kotlin Best Practices & Performance Optimizations 
   Understand structural (==) vs. referential (===) equality and array comparisons
   Override equals() and hashCode() for custom equality logic
   Use the this keyword in member functions and extension functions
   Apply destructuring declarations to unpack objects into variables
   Work with annotations, meta-annotations, and repeatable annotations (@Target)
   Follow Kotlin coding conventions and best practices