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Stefan Jaindl

Take your Android development skills to the next level and become an expert in app architecture. Whether building small apps or large, multimodule projects, mastering Android app architecture is key to creating scalable, maintainable, high-performing applications.

Being an expert in app architecture will also prepare you for a Mobile Tech Lead role, as you will be able to make key architectural decisions, and guide projects toward success. You will also learn crucial system design principles and patterns that will help you excel in mobile system design interviews.

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Take your Android development skills to the next level and become an expert in app architecture. Whether building small apps or large, multimodule projects, mastering Android app architecture is key to creating scalable, maintainable, high-performing applications.

Being an expert in app architecture will also prepare you for a Mobile Tech Lead role, as you will be able to make key architectural decisions, and guide projects toward success. You will also learn crucial system design principles and patterns that will help you excel in mobile system design interviews.

Stefan started developing Android apps - almost from Android's birth - in 2011, and since then had to architect, design, and develop many challenging Android, iOS, and Multiplatform apps. In this course, he wants to share his comprehensive experience with you.

Apps are unique - different apps have different requirements and may require different architectural decisions. This course is designed to provide a solid foundation of architectural principles, explain and compare popular app architectures, and guide in selecting the right architecture based on the given requirements. Despite the course being especially targeted at Android, most concepts also apply to iOS.

About 8 hours of on-demand video content will cover what you need to know to master modern Android app architecture:

  • Writing Clean Code: Apply best practices and system design principles such as DRY and SOLID to create maintainable, scalable codebases.

  • Choosing the Right Pattern (MVC, MVP, MVVM): Learn the key differences between Model-View-Controller (MVC), Model-View-Presenter (MVP), and Model-View-ViewModel (MVVM) and choose the right pattern based on app size, complexity, and team needs

  • Implementing Clean Architecture: Minimize app lifetime maintenance costs and maximize developer productivity

  • Implementing Layered Architecture: Learn how to separate concerns into data, domain, and UI layers for better maintainability based on Google's recommended app architecture

  • Using Android Architecture Components: Build scalable apps using Jetpack libraries from the UI to the data layer such as the Lifecycle API, the ViewModel API, LiveData & Flow, Coroutines, SharedPreferences & DataStore, the Room database, the WorkManager API or the Paging library

  • Implementing Efficient Navigation: Seamlessly handle navigation in complex apps with Android’s navigation component

  • Applying Dependency Injection (DI): Use popular DI frameworks like Dagger and Hilt, or service locator frameworks such as Kodein and Koin to write cleaner, more testable code with better dependency management

  • Mastering Modularization: Organize your complex codebase into modules, whether they are based on layers, features, or both for better scalability, respecting the principles of component cohesion and component coupling

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Becoming a mobile tech lead: master architectural skills
  • Know how to architect apps of any size
  • Writing clean code: best practices and system design principles
  • Comparing and choosing between mvc, mvp, and mvvm
  • Implementing clean architecture & layered architecture in android apps
  • Building scalable apps with android architecture components, navigation & dependency injection
  • Mastering modularization in multimodule android projects

Syllabus

Introduction
Introduction & Course Overview
Download your slides
Course demo code on github
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Covers Android Architecture Components, which are part of Jetpack libraries and help build robust, scalable apps from the UI to the data layer
Explores dependency injection frameworks like Dagger, Hilt, Kodein, and Koin, which are useful for writing cleaner, more testable code with better dependency management
Prepares learners for a Mobile Tech Lead role by teaching key architectural decisions and guiding projects toward success, which are essential for leadership
Examines modularization techniques for organizing complex codebases into modules based on layers or features, which promotes scalability and component cohesion
Teaches system design principles like DRY and SOLID, which are essential for creating maintainable and scalable codebases in Android development
Requires familiarity with architectural patterns like MVC, MVP, and MVVM, which may necessitate prior experience or additional learning for some students

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Reviews summary

Modern android architecture deep dive

According to learners, this course provides a solid foundation in modern Android app architecture, covering essential concepts like SOLID principles and comparing MVC, MVP, and MVVM patterns. Students particularly appreciate the focus on Clean and Layered Architectures and the practical application of Android Architecture Components such as ViewModel, LiveData/Flow, Room, and Navigation. The practical code examples and instructor's expertise are frequently highlighted as strengths, making complex topics understandable. While the course is excellent for intermediate developers looking to deepen their architectural understanding and prepare for roles like Tech Lead, some reviewers note that it may be a bit challenging for absolute beginners without prior experience.
Reinforces fundamental design principles.
"The initial focus on SOLID and clean code principles was a great starting point."
"Understanding SOLID principles was key before diving into the architectures."
"I gained a better grasp of how to apply DRY, SOLID, and KISS."
"The course effectively links design principles to architectural decisions."
Instructor's experience is valuable.
"Stefan clearly has deep experience and explains complex topics well."
"I appreciated learning from someone with real-world architectural experience."
"The instructor's passion for the topic comes through in the lectures."
"Stefan's insights beyond just the patterns are very helpful."
Helpful hands-on coding and demos.
"The demo code on GitHub is a great resource and helped solidify my learning."
"I found the practical examples for each architectural pattern very useful."
"Being able to follow along with the coding demos made the concepts much clearer."
"The hands-on application of principles in code is a major strength."
Practical use of Jetpack libraries.
"Learning how to properly use ViewModel, LiveData, and Room in context was invaluable."
"The sections on Navigation and WorkManager were very helpful for modern apps."
"I finally understand how to integrate Jetpack components effectively into my architecture."
"The course showcases best practices for Android Architecture Components."
Provides a strong base in key patterns.
"This course gave me a solid understanding of different architectural patterns and principles."
"I feel much more confident making architectural decisions after taking this course."
"Excellent overview of MVC, MVP, MVVM, Clean, and Layered architectures."
"The course clarified how to structure my Android projects effectively."
DI section can be challenging.
"The Dagger/Hilt section required extra effort and felt a bit dense."
"I wished the Dependency Injection part had more detailed explanations or demos."
"Understanding DI frameworks like Hilt within the architectural context was the hardest part."
"Some reviewers found the DI content complex or needing more depth."
Best suited for experienced developers.
"This course assumes some prior knowledge of Android development."
"Absolute beginners might find some sections challenging without prerequisites."
"I recommend having a solid understanding of Kotlin and basic Android concepts beforehand."
"It's geared towards those looking to advance their architecture skills, not learn Android basics."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Modern Android App Architecture with these activities:
Review SOLID Principles
Solidify your understanding of SOLID principles to write cleaner, more maintainable code, which is a core focus of the course.
Browse courses on SOLID Principles
Show steps
  • Read articles and blog posts explaining each principle.
  • Watch videos demonstrating the application of SOLID.
  • Try refactoring existing code to adhere to SOLID principles.
Follow Android Architecture Components tutorials
Enhance your skills in using Jetpack libraries by following online tutorials and building sample apps.
Show steps
  • Search for tutorials on ViewModel, LiveData, Room, and Navigation Component.
  • Follow the tutorials step-by-step, building the example apps.
  • Experiment with different configurations and features.
Review 'Clean Code: A Handbook of Agile Software Craftsmanship'
Reinforce clean coding practices by studying a well-regarded book on the subject.
View CLEAN CODE on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read the book, focusing on the chapters relevant to the course.
  • Apply the principles learned to your own Android projects.
  • Discuss the book's concepts with other developers.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Review 'Dependency Injection'
Reinforce dependency injection practices by studying a well-regarded book on the subject.
Show steps
  • Read the book, focusing on the chapters relevant to the course.
  • Apply the principles learned to your own Android projects.
  • Discuss the book's concepts with other developers.
Implement different architectural patterns
Gain hands-on experience with MVC, MVP, and MVVM by building small applications using each pattern.
Show steps
  • Choose a simple app idea (e.g., a to-do list).
  • Implement the app using MVC, MVP, and MVVM separately.
  • Compare the advantages and disadvantages of each pattern.
Write a blog post about modularization
Deepen your understanding of modularization by explaining the benefits and techniques to others.
Show steps
  • Research different modularization strategies for Android apps.
  • Outline the key points you want to cover in your blog post.
  • Write the blog post, including code examples and diagrams.
  • Publish the blog post on a platform like Medium or your own website.
Refactor an existing Android app
Apply the architectural principles learned in the course to improve the structure and maintainability of a real-world application.
Show steps
  • Select an existing Android app (personal project or open-source).
  • Identify areas for improvement based on course concepts.
  • Refactor the app, applying clean architecture and layered architecture.
  • Write unit and integration tests to ensure code quality.

Career center

Learners who complete Modern Android App Architecture will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Android Developer
An Android Developer builds applications for Android devices, requiring a strong understanding of app architecture, as provided by this course. You'll learn to implement clean architecture, utilize Android architecture components, and apply dependency injection. This knowledge ensures that an Android developer can develop and maintain high-performing, scalable applications. The course’s focus on modularization, and navigation will help developers build well organized codebases. A firm grasp of the architectural patterns and layered architectures taught by this course is essential for any Android app developer.
Mobile Software Architect
A Mobile Software Architect is responsible for making high-level design choices and setting technical standards for mobile development projects. This course on Modern Android App Architecture is highly relevant as it covers crucial system design principles and patterns, including how to select the right architecture based on project requirements. The course provides practical experience with layered architecture, clean code, and modularization, all of which are vital for architecting scalable and maintainable applications. The course’s focus on Android architecture components and dependency injection directly align with the responsibilities of a mobile architect.
Mobile Application Developer
A Mobile Application Developer creates applications for mobile platforms like Android and iOS. This course on Modern Android App Architecture provides a solid foundation in architectural principles and patterns, which are applicable to both platforms. The course emphasizes clean code, modularization, and layered architecture, which are crucial for building scalable and maintainable mobile apps. While this course focuses on Android, the underlying concepts of system design and dependency injection extend to iOS development, making it beneficial for any mobile application developer.
Mobile System Designer
A Mobile System Designer focuses on the high-level architecture and design of mobile applications. This course provides a deep understanding of the principles behind this. You will learn to implement clean architecture, choose among popular architectural patterns, and build modularized apps with dependency injection. The focus on Android’s architecture components provides a specific, yet broadly useful guide for a mobile system designer. This course may be useful to gain the knowledge necessary for designing robust mobile applications.
Lead Software Engineer
A Lead Software Engineer guides development teams and makes key architectural decisions. This course on Modern Android App Architecture directly correlates with the responsibilities of a Lead Software Engineer, particularly in the mobile space. The course covers best practices for writing clean code and implementing various architectural patterns like MVC, MVP, and MVVM. Understanding modularization, dependency injection, and system design patterns are integral to lead a development project. This course may be useful for any software engineer looking to move into a lead role.
Software Engineer
A Software Engineer requires a strong understanding of software design principles, and this course on Modern Android App Architecture is valuable as it covers crucial concepts for building scalable applications with well-structured code. You will gain knowledge of system design principles, layered architecture, and dependency injection, which are applicable to any software engineering role, not just mobile development. The course's emphasis on clean code and modularization helps build a foundation for writing well-organized, maintainable code. This course may be useful for any software engineer.
Technical Project Manager
A Technical Project Manager needs to understand the technical aspects of a project to effectively manage and guide a team. This course on Modern Android App Architecture will provide crucial insight into the architectural choices made in a mobile app project. The course covers various architectural patterns, such as MVC, MVP, and MVVM, and helps one understand the impact of using each of these options. Understanding clean architecture, layering, and modularization provides a technical project manager with the necessary expertise to manage developers and ensure the project stays on track. This may be useful for project managers working with mobile teams.
Software Development Consultant
A Software Development Consultant advises clients on best practices and solutions in software development. This course on Modern Android App Architecture provides a consultant with valuable expertise in mobile application architecture. The course teaches best practices for writing clean code, which is key to scalability and maintainability. You will learn about modularization, layered architecture, and dependency injection which are all crucial for modern software development. This course may be particularly helpful for a consultant working with mobile app clients.
Solutions Architect
A Solutions Architect designs and oversees the implementation of solutions to complex business problems. While not solely focused on application design, this course on Modern Android App Architecture provides valuable insight into system design principles, patterns and layered architectures. This course's focus on clean code, modularization, and dependency injection is applicable to any large-scale system design. The course may be useful for a solutions architect seeking deeper understanding of the mobile space.
Backend Developer
A backend developer works on the server-side logic of applications, so while this course is focused on Android app architecture, it may still be useful for backend developers. The course's focus on system design principles, clean code, and modularization helps build a foundation for writing well-structured and maintainable code, which can be applied to almost any software project, including backend systems. The course may be useful for backend developers interested in learning more about mobile application architecture.
Application Security Engineer
An Application Security Engineer focuses on securing applications from vulnerabilities and threats. This course on Modern Android App Architecture will provide insight into the common architectural patterns and components used in mobile applications. You will learn the best practices in clean code, modularization, and dependency injection. While not directly focused on security, understanding the underlying architecture of applications allows a security engineer to better assess potential security flaws. This course may be useful to engineers in the application security field.
DevOps Engineer
A DevOps Engineer focuses on streamlining the software development lifecycle, which sometimes includes mobile applications. While this course is primarily focused on Android app architecture, DevOps engineers can benefit from exposure to modern development practices. This course offers insight into clean code practices, modularization, dependency injection, and architecture patterns, which helps DevOps engineers to better understand the challenges in application delivery. This course may be useful for a DevOps engineer seeking a perspective on the mobile application space.
Quality Assurance Engineer
A Quality Assurance Engineer is responsible for testing software and ensuring it meets quality standards. This course on Modern Android App Architecture provides insight into the structure and design of mobile applications. Understanding the common architecural patterns, as well as the way that clean code is implemented can help a QA engineer to better design their tests and understand failure modes. While not directly focused on testing, the knowledge of best practices and system design will help a QA engineer to be more effective. This course may be useful for a QA engineer looking to improve their technical expertise.
User Interface Designer
A User Interface Designer creates the visual layout of applications. While this course on Modern Android App Architecture is primarily focused on backend implementation, a UI Designer may find it helpful to understand how the UI layer interacts with the rest of the app. The course's focus on a layered architecture and how data flows from the backend to the user interface could be useful to a UI designer. This course may be useful for a UI designer interested in learning more about mobile application design.
Database Administrator
A Database Administrator is in charge of maintaining and administering a database. This course on Modern Android App Architecture is not tightly aligned with the tasks of a database administrator. Though a DBA may find it helpful to understand how mobile app data is structured and managed, this will not be a primary function in their role. This course may be useful for a DBA working on projects with mobile app integrations.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Modern Android App Architecture.
Cornerstone for understanding clean coding practices. It provides practical guidance on writing readable, maintainable, and testable code. It reinforces the 'Clean Code' section of the course and provides a deeper dive into the principles discussed. This book is commonly used by industry professionals.
Provides a comprehensive guide to dependency injection principles and patterns. It explains how to use DI to write loosely coupled, testable code. It reinforces the 'Dependency Injection' section of the course and provides a deeper dive into the principles discussed. This book is commonly used by industry professionals.

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