Kotlin improves code compilation, now requires JDK 8

The newly updated Jetbrains statically typed language for the JVM, Kotlin 1.1.2, now offers improved compilation and better integration with the company’s IntelliJ Idea IDE, as well as a slew of bug fixes and compatibility with version 2.4.0-alpha of the Android Gradle plugin.Kotlin enables development of server-side applications, Android apps, or front-end code to run in a browser. Its conciseness reduces the need to write boilerplate code, the company says.[ The big 4 Java IDEs reviewed: