Don't Do These Fatal Mistakes With a Multi-Module Architecture

Summary

In this video, the creator discusses two common mistakes when modularizing Android apps: modularizing too early and layer-based modularization. The video recommends starting with a single module and only switching to a multi-module setup later when it's truly necessary for faster builds or better team delegation. Additionally, the creator advises against modularizing by layers (data, domain, presentation), which can cause inefficiencies and poor reusability. Instead, they suggest modularizing by features to maintain build efficiency, enhance reusability, and improve work delegation. The video concludes with a promotion for a multi-module course with a limited-time discount.

Takeaways

• 😀 Modularizing an Android app means splitting it into multiple modules for better organization and efficiency.
• 😀 Multi-module architecture can lead to faster Gradle builds by allowing independent and parallel builds of modules.
• 😀 Modularization helps with work delegation in teams, allowing different teams to work on separate features without overlapping.
• 😀 A well-structured multi-module architecture enables clearer separation of concerns within an app, enhancing maintainability.
• 😀 One of the biggest benefits of modularization is the reusability of modules across different projects.
• 😀 Mistake #1: Modularizing too early is a common error. Starting with a single module is often better, and you can modularize later if needed.
• 😀 Initializing a multi-module setup can take a lot of time and effort, and the advantages might not be noticeable in small projects.
• 😀 Start with a single module and migrate to a multi-module setup only if you experience significant build time or organizational issues.
• 😀 Mistake #2: Layer-based modularization (grouping by data, domain, and presentation) can hinder build efficiency, work delegation, and reusability.
• 😀 The correct approach to modularization is to group by features, allowing independent work on modules like 'onboarding' or 'tracker', which boosts flexibility, efficiency, and reusability.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video?

The main topic of the video is about modularizing Android app architecture, specifically highlighting common mistakes developers make and how to avoid them.

What is modularization in the context of Android apps?

Modularization in Android apps refers to dividing an app into smaller, independent modules, allowing for faster build times, better team collaboration, clearer separation of concerns, and easier reusability of code.

Why is modularization beneficial for Android app development?

Modularization helps in several ways, including faster Gradle builds, better work delegation across teams, clearer separation of concerns, and the reusability of individual modules in different projects.

What is the mistake developers often make regarding modularization?

One major mistake is modularizing too early. Developers sometimes start with a multi-module architecture right from the beginning, which can lead to unnecessary complexity and wasted time.

Why shouldn't developers modularize their project from the very start?

Modularizing too early requires significant setup time, including configuring multiple Gradle files, which may not provide immediate benefits, especially for small projects. It's better to start with a single module and only migrate to multi-module architecture when it's necessary.

When should developers consider modularizing their Android app?

Developers should consider modularizing their app when they start noticing longer build times with Gradle or when team delegation and separation of concerns become difficult to manage with a single module.

What is the second mistake mentioned in the video regarding modularization?

The second mistake is using a layer-based modularization approach, where modules are created based on app layers like data, domain, and presentation.

Why is layer-based modularization considered a bad practice?

Layer-based modularization causes issues like unnecessary rebuilding of modules when only a small part of the code changes, difficult work delegation between teams, poor reusability of modules, and lack of clear boundaries between modules.

What is the correct approach to modularizing an Android app?

The correct approach is to modularize by features rather than layers. Each feature should be encapsulated in its own module, allowing for more efficient builds, easier team collaboration, and better code reusability.

How does modularizing by features help with reusability?

Modularizing by features makes it easier to take an entire feature, such as onboarding or tracker, and reuse it in different projects without needing to adjust the code, which wouldn't be the case with layer-based modularization.