--- title: "DexGuard: protecting Kotlin apps since 2016 | Guardsquare" description: DexGuard has no trouble optimizing and protecting Kotlin code thanks to its clean integration in the Android ecosystem. image: https://23593082.hs-sites.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/kotlin-Apr-16-2021-06-36-11-03-PM-2.png --- [![guardsquare-logo](https://insights.guardsquare.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logos/logo-white.png?length=536&name=logo-white.png "guardsquare-logo") ](https://23593082.hs-sites.com/) - pricing [Request Pricing](https://www.guardsquare.com/request-pricing?hsCtaTracking=646b0379-d596-4b1a-8526-2ccbdbb0f81b%7Ce8809087-a83f-4476-8b22-34b9572013fd) [Login](https://customers.guardsquare.com/login?utm_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.guardsquare.com%2F) En - [中文](https://www.guardsquare.com/zh-hans) - [한국어](https://www.guardsquare.com/ko) - [Português](https://www.guardsquare.com/pt-br) - [Español](https://www.guardsquare.com/es) [mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https://23593082.hs-sites.com/amilia-test/blog/dexguard-protecting-kotlin-apps-2016](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https://23593082.hs-sites.com/amilia-test/blog/dexguard-protecting-kotlin-apps-2016) June 2, 2018 # DexGuard: protecting Kotlin apps since 2016 Written by: Guardsquare ![](https://23593082.hs-sites.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/kotlin-Apr-16-2021-06-36-11-03-PM-2.png) [DexGuard](https://23593082.hs-sites.com/dexguard) has no trouble optimizing and **protecting** Kotlin code thanks to its clean integration in the **Android** ecosystem. DexGuard fully follows the Java bytecode specification and supports all current and even future JVM (Java Virtual Machine) languages. ## JVM language family Kotlin is a programming language that addresses common annoyances with Java, (including its verbosity and some tricky work regarding null values) while maintaining full interoperability. It is currently estimated that 30% of all Android development deploys Kotlin in at least some parts of their codebase. This naturally begs the question whether all your favorite IDEs, tools and mobile application protection solutions still function correctly when switching to the newer, shinier Kotlin language. To understand what it means to ‘support Kotlin’, we need to understand what role it plays in our codebase and how it achieves interoperability. Kotlin code has its own syntax for source code and should be written in a file like `MyClass.kt`. This file is then compiled with the **kotlinc** compiler. The compiler transforms the Kotlin file into fully valid **Java bytecode**, which is indistinguishable from compiled Java source code. There is a whole family of programming languages and Java compiler plugins that produce Java bytecode. Some examples are the languages Scala and Clojure, or the popular Android frameworks Dagger and Butterknife. ## DexGuard supports all JVM languages Our open source tool [ProGuard ](https://23593082.hs-sites.com/proguard)already processes Java bytecode and DexGuard even processes Dalvik bytecode and native code. It transparently handles all of the developer’s source code, whether it is Java or Kotlin or anything else. This approach ensures that our clients never need to worry about language compatibility. Ever since Google decided to officially support Kotlin, we’ve had our clients transition smoothly to Kotlin projects. The Kotlin sample included in the DexGuard distribution illustrates the straightforward integration process. Additionally, we’ve fine-tuned our configuration for commonly used Kotlin libraries to ensure the Android developer’s code is optimally **obfuscated** and **optimized** with each build. Tag(s): [Android](https://23593082.hs-sites.com/amilia-test/tag/android) , [Protection](https://23593082.hs-sites.com/amilia-test/tag/protection) , [DexGuard](https://23593082.hs-sites.com/amilia-test/tag/dexguard) ## [Guardsquare](https://23593082.hs-sites.com/amilia-test/author/guardsquare) Connect with the author ## Discover how Guardsquare provides industry-leading protection for mobile apps. ## Other posts you might be interested in [ ** 11 min read | August 22, 2023 ## Webinar Recap: Accessibility Features and Overlays on Android Android Protection Security Research ](https://23593082.hs-sites.com/amilia-test/blog/app-permissions-abuse) [ ** 7 min read | August 15, 2023 ## What is RASP and Why It Matters to Mobile App Developers Android iOS Protection DexGuard iXGuard ](https://23593082.hs-sites.com/amilia-test/blog/rasp-dynamic-analysis) ## Subscribe to our newsletter Stay in the know with monthly updates right to your inbox. ![HubSpot CMS](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/302335/hubspot-cms-logo-gray.svg "HubSpot CMS") [General Terms](https://23593082.hs-sites.com/terms-of-use) | [Privacy Policy](https://23593082.hs-sites.com/privacy-policy) | [Cookie Policy](https://23593082.hs-sites.com/cookie-policy) Tervuursevest 362 bus 1, 3000 Leuven, Belgium | VAT: BE0550675829 | © 2016-2026 Guardsquare nv. 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