Jetpack Compose Essentials

Developing Android Apps with Jetpack Compose, Android Studio, and Kotlin

Neil Smyth

• Publisher: Payload Media, Inc.
• Year: 2022
• ISBN:
  9781951442385
• Topic: Computer Science
• Subtopic: Programming Mobile Devices
• Index: Computer Science

The goal of this book is to teach the skills necessary to build Android applications using Jetpack Compose, Android Studio, and the Kotlin programming language.

Beginning with the basics, this book explains how to set up an Android Studio development environment.

The book also includes in-depth chapters introducing the Kotlin programming language including data types, operators, control flow, functions, lambdas, and object-oriented programming.

An introduction to the key concepts of Jetpack Compose and Android project architecture is followed by a guided tour of Android Studio in Compose development mode. The book also covers the creation of custom Composables and explains how these functions are combined to create user interface layouts including the use of row, column, box, and list components.

Other topics covered include data handling using state properties, key user interface design concepts such as modifiers, navigation bars, and user interface navigation. Additional chapters explore building your own re-usable custom layout components.

The book also includes chapters covering graphics drawing, user interface animation, transitions, and gesture handling.

Chapters are also included covering view models, SQLite databases, Room database access, the Database Inspector, live data, and custom theme creation.

Finally, the book explains how to package up a completed app and upload it to the Google Play Store for publication.

Along the way, the topics covered in the book are put into practice through detailed tutorials, the source code for which is also available for download.

Assuming you already have some rudimentary programming experience, are ready to download Android Studio and the Android SDK, and have access to a Windows, Mac, or Linux system, you are ready to get started.

1. Start Here

The goal of this book is to teach you how to build Android applications using Jetpack Compose, Android Studio, and the Kotlin programming language.

Beginning with the basics, this book explains how to set up an Android Studio development environment.

The book also includes in-depth chapters introducing the Kotlin programming language including data types, operators, control flow, functions, lambdas, and object-oriented programming.

An introduction to the key concepts of Jetpack Compose and Android project architecture is followed by a guided tour of Android Studio in Compose development mode. The book also covers the creation of custom Composables and explains how these functions are combined to create user interface layouts including the use of row, column, box, and list components.

Other topics covered include data handling using state properties, key user interface design concepts such as modifiers, navigation bars, and user interface navigation. Additional chapters explore building your own re-usable custom layout components.

The book also includes chapters covering graphics drawing, user interface animation, transitions, and gesture handling.

Chapters are also included covering view models, SQLite databases, Room database access, the Database Inspector, live data, and custom theme creation.

Finally, the book explains how to package up a completed app and upload it to the Google Play Store for publication.

Along the way, the topics covered in the book are put into practice through detailed tutorials, the source code for which is also available for download.

Assuming you already have some rudimentary programming experience, are ready to download Android Studio and the Android SDK, and have access to a Windows, Mac, or Linux system, you are ready to get started.

1.1 For Kotlin programmers

This book has been designed to address the needs of both existing Kotlin programmers and those who are new to both Kotlin and Jetpack Compose app development. If you are familiar with the Kotlin programming language, you can probably skip the Kotlin specific chapters.

1.2 For new Kotlin programmers

If you are new to programming in Kotlin then the entire book is appropriate for you. Just start at the beginning and keep going.

1.3 Downloading the code samples

The source code and Android Studio project files for the examples contained in this book are available for download at:

https://www.ebookfrenzy.com/retail/compose/index.php

The steps to load a project from the code samples into Android Studio are as follows:

1. From the Welcome to Android Studio dialog, click on the Open button option.

2. In the project selection dialog, navigate to and select the folder containing the project to be imported and click on OK.

1.4 Feedback

We want you to be satisfied with your purchase of this book. If you find any errors in the book or have any comments, questions or concerns please contact us at [email protected].

1.5 Errata

While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of the content of this book, inevitably, a book covering a subject area of this size and complexity may include some errors and oversights. Any known issues with the book will be outlined, together with solutions at the following URL:

https://www.ebookfrenzy.com/errata/compose.html

If you find an error not listed in the errata, please let us know by emailing our technical support team at [email protected].

2. Setting up an Android Studio Development Environment

Before any work can begin on the development of an Android application, the first step is to configure a computer system to act as the development platform. This involves several steps consisting of installing the Android Studio Integrated Development Environment (IDE) which also includes the Android Software Development Kit (SDK), the Kotlin plug-in and OpenJDK Java development environment.

This chapter will cover the steps necessary to install the requisite components for Android application development on Windows, macOS, and Linux-based systems.

2.1 System requirements

Android application development may be performed on any of the following system types:

•Windo...