Unlocking the Power of Kotlin Multiplatform Mobile
As an Android developer, you’re likely familiar with the challenges of building a mobile app that runs seamlessly on both Android and iOS. But what if you could leverage your existing Kotlin skills to create a cross-platform app with minimal learning curve? Enter Kotlin Multiplatform Mobile (KMM), a game-changing SDK that simplifies the development of shared codebases for Android and iOS apps.
What is Kotlin Multiplatform Mobile?
KMM is an SDK designed to facilitate the creation of shared codebases for Android and iOS apps using Kotlin. With KMM, you can write the core logic of your app in Kotlin and use it across both platforms, eliminating the need for redundant code duplication.
Setting up a KMM Project
To get started with KMM, you’ll need to install the necessary plugins and tools. First, install the Kotlin plugin in Android Studio, then search for the KMM plugin in the Plugin section of the Preferences menu. Once installed, create a new KMM project by selecting “Kotlin Multiplatform App” in the New Project wizard.
Understanding the KMM Project Structure
A KMM project consists of three main modules: Android, shared, and iOS. The shared module contains the common codebase written in Kotlin, while the Android and iOS modules are platform-specific.
- Android Module: This module builds into an Android application and uses the shared codebase.
- Shared Module: This module contains the common codebase written in Kotlin and is used by both Android and iOS apps.
- iOS Module: This module builds into an iOS application and uses the shared codebase.
How Does the Xcode Project Know About the Shared Framework?
When creating a new KMM project, the build paths for the framework and other required settings are automatically configured. A gradle task called embedAndSignAppleFrameworkForXcode executes each time the iOS app is built to generate a new framework.
Hands-on with Kotlin Multiplatform Mobile
To demonstrate the power of KMM, let’s build a simple note-taking app with local database operations. We’ll use the SQLDelight library to interact with the database.
- Adding Dependencies: Add the necessary dependencies to the project-level
build.gradlefile, including the SQLDelight library. - Creating the Database: Create a database using SQLDelight and define the necessary queries.
- Interacting with the Database: Use the
SqlDriverobject to interact with the database and perform CRUD operations.
Using the Shared Codebase in Android and iOS Apps
Once the shared codebase is set up, you can use it in both Android and iOS apps. In Android, import the shared module and use the KmmSDK class to interact with the database. In iOS, import the shared framework and use the KmmSDK class to interact with the database.
Conclusion
Kotlin Multiplatform Mobile is a powerful tool for building cross-platform mobile apps. By leveraging your existing Kotlin skills, you can create a shared codebase that runs seamlessly on both Android and iOS. With KMM, you can simplify the development process, reduce code duplication, and improve app performance.
Further References