Kotlin (Programming Language)

Kotlin is a cross-platform, statically typed, general-purpose programming language with type inference, designed to interoperate fully with Java. It was originally developed by JetBrains, a software development company famous for its IDEs like IntelliJ IDEA.

Since its unveiling in 2011, Kotlin has grown significantly in popularity, especially after Google announced it as a preferred language for Android app development in 2017. While JetBrains remains the primary driver of the language's development through its offices in the Czech Republic and globally, the language is now stewarded by the Kotlin Foundation.

The production of the language (its source code and official releases) is a collaborative effort involving engineers around the world, maintained as an open-source project. Ownership remains with the Kotlin Foundation, a non-profit established by JetBrains and Google to ensure the language's development remains open and independent.