4 ms·

const is already a keyword - it denotes compile-time constants (basically primitive types). val is constant in runtime, but it can still be computed on the fly;

by V-2 4y ago

const is already a keyword - it denotes compile-time constants (basically primitive types). val is constant in runtime, but it can still be computed on the fly; just assigned only once. mut is a nice proposition, I'd certainly consider it if I were to design Kotlin

R0b0t1 4y ago
Interesting. Why not simply overload the meaning of const based on rvalue?
- mojuba 4y ago
  Like in C++, right? The compiler can decide whether it's a compile-time or run-time constant.
- V-2 4y ago
  Kotlin's "const" corresponds directly to Java's "const", so my guess is that they don't want to burn bridges with Java where there's no substantial benefit.