Description: Kotlin’s null safety is a feature that helps prevent null pointer exceptions by distinguishing between nullable and non-nullable types. In many programming languages, the use of null pointers can lead to runtime errors known as ‘NullPointerExceptions’, which are one of the main causes of application failures. Kotlin addresses this issue innovatively by introducing a type system that allows developers to specify whether a variable can hold a null value or not. This is achieved by adding a question mark (?) to the data type, indicating that the variable is nullable. For example, declaring a variable as ‘String?’ establishes that it can hold a value of type String or be null. On the other hand, a variable declared as ‘String’ cannot be null. This distinction allows the compiler to detect potential errors at compile time, significantly reducing the likelihood of runtime errors. Additionally, Kotlin provides safe operators, such as the Elvis operator (?:) and the safe call operator (?.), which facilitate the handling of null values in a more intuitive and safe manner. In summary, null safety in Kotlin not only enhances code robustness but also promotes better programming practices by forcing developers to consider null handling from the outset of development.
