Posts Tagged ‘MobileArchitecture’
[KotlinConf2018] Architecting iOS with Kotlin Multiplatform: Kevin Galligan’s Vision for Mobile Convergence
Lecturer
Kevin Galligan is president of Touchlab, a mobile development firm. He organizes Droidcon NYC and the New York Android meetup, focusing on platform convergence. Relevant links: Touchlab Blog (publications); LinkedIn Profile (professional page).
Abstract
This article traces Kevin Galligan’s overview of Kotlin Multiplatform for Android and iOS. Set in the rise of multiplatform libraries, it examines shared architecture patterns, inspired by Google’s J2ObjC. The analysis highlights methodologies for repositories and concurrency, with implications for cross-platform consistency and library ecosystems.
Introduction and Context
Kevin Galligan addressed KotlinConf 2018, reflecting on 2016’s J2ObjC experiments. Kotlin Multiplatform, enabling shared Android-iOS logic, was poised for growth in 2018-2019. Galligan reviewed libraries, gaps, and resources, set against Touchlab’s mobile expertise and community engagement.
Methodological Approaches
Galligan proposed a shared repository pattern, using expect/actual for platform-specific database access. Concurrency used frozen objects for thread safety, with Android bypassing freezing. Libraries like SQLDelight and Ktor were highlighted, with coroutines noted as immature for Native.
Analysis of Innovations and Features
Multiplatform innovates code reuse, reducing duplication. Expect/actual abstracts platform differences. Compared to J2ObjC, Kotlin offers native compilation. Limitations include coroutine readiness and freezing complexity.
Implications and Consequences
Galligan’s vision implies unified mobile architectures, streamlining development. It fosters a growing library ecosystem.
Conclusion
Galligan’s insights herald Kotlin Multiplatform’s role in mobile convergence, urging library development.
Links
- Lecture video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dul17VSiejo
- Lecturer’s X/Twitter: @kevingalligan
- Lecturer’s LinkedIn: Kevin Galligan
- Organization’s X/Twitter: @touchlab
- Organization’s LinkedIn: Touchlab