What is Kotlin and what are its main advantages over Java?

Kotlin is a statically typed programming language developed by JetBrains that runs on the JVM and is 100% interoperable with Java.\n\n**Main advantages:**\n• **Null Safety**: Prevents NullPointerException at compile time\n• **Concise Syntax**: Reduces boilerplate code significantly\n• **Extension Functions**: Add functionality to existing classes\n• **Smart Casts**: Automatic type casting after null checks\n• **Data Classes**: Auto-generation of equals, hashCode, toString\n• **Coroutines**: Built-in asynchronous programming support\n• **Type Inference**: Compiler infers types automatically\n\n**Example:**\n\ndata class Person(val name: String, val age: Int?)\nfun greet(person: Person?) {\n person?.let { println("Hello, ${it.name}!") }\n}\n