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Mastering State Management and Essential

Kotlin Syntax – Day 6 Android 14
Masterclass
 9. November 2023
 Android
Mastering State Management and Essential
Kotlin Syntax – Day 6 Android 14
Masterclass
Welcome to Day 6 of the Android 14 Masterclass, where we take a deep dive
into state management and essential Kotlin syntax. Today’s focus is on
harnessing Kotlin’s capabilities to handle mutable and immutable states, critical for
dynamic UI responsiveness. Through exploring ‘mutableStateOf’ and
‘remember’, this article provides a comprehensive overview of state
management in Kotlin. We will navigate through the syntax that streamlines UI
updates and delve into examples that demonstrate the pragmatic use of Kotlin
features in real-world scenarios.

1. Essential Kotlin Syntax: State

Theory:

In Android development, particularly when you are working with UI (User Interface),
“State” is a crucial concept.
State refers to the data stored about a component at a given point in time. It could be
as simple as whether a toggle button is on or off, the text inside a text box, or more
complex like the list of items retrieved from a database.

When the state of a component changes, the UI is updated to reflect this new state.

For instance, if a user types something into a text box, the state of the text box
changes, and the UI is updated to show the new text.

Syntax:

In Kotlin, when developing Android apps, you often work

with mutable and immutable states. Mutable states are those that can be changed,
while immutable states cannot be changed once they are set.

Here’s a basic syntax for creating a mutable state in Kotlin:

1 val state = mutableStateOf(initialValue)

2
And here’s how you might create an immutable state:

1 val state = remember { mutableStateOf(initialValue) }

2
Examples:

Example 1: Mutable State

1 import androidx.compose.runtime.mutableStateOf
2 import androidx.compose.runtime.remember
3
4 val countState = mutableStateOf(0)
5
6 // To update the state
7 countState.value = 5
8
In this example, countState is a mutable state that holds an integer. It is initially set
to 0, and later it is updated to 5.

Example 2: Immutable State with Remember

1 import androidx.compose.runtime.mutableStateOf
2 import androidx.compose.runtime.remember
3
4 val countState = remember { mutableStateOf(0) }
5
6 // This will cause a compile error because countState is read-only
7 // countState = mutableStateOf(5)
8
9 // To update the state
10 countState.value = 5
11
In this example, countState is made immutable by using the remember function. It
means that the countState itself cannot be changed, but the value it holds (.value)
can be updated.

Example 3: Using State in a Composable Function

1 import androidx.compose.runtime.*
2 import androidx.compose.ui.tooling.preview.Preview
3
4 @Composable
5 fun Counter() {
6 val count = remember { mutableStateOf(0) }
7
8 Button(onClick = { count.value++ }) {
9 Text("Clicked ${count.value} times")
10 }
11 }
12
In this example, a Counter composable function is created. It has a button, and every
time the button is clicked, the count value increases, and the UI is updated to show
the new count.

Understanding and managing state is fundamental in Android development as it

helps in creating dynamic and responsive UIs. Kotlin, with its powerful features
like mutableStateOf and remember, makes state management in Android applications
efficient and straightforward.
2. Essential Kotlin Syntax: Recomposition

Theory:

Recomposition is a fundamental concept in Kotlin, particularly when using Jetpack

Compose for building UI in Android applications. It refers to the process where the UI
automatically updates in response to state changes.

When the state of an application changes, the parts of the UI that depend on that
state automatically recompose, meaning they redraw themselves to reflect the new
state.

Syntax:

There isn’t specific syntax for recomposition, as it is a concept rather than a code
element. However, recomposition occurs when you have a composable function that
depends on a mutable state.

When the state changes, the composable function automatically recomposes.

Examples:

Example 1: Recomposition with a Simple Counter

1 import androidx.compose.runtime.*
2 import androidx.compose.ui.tooling.preview.Preview
3
4 @Composable
5 fun Counter() {
6 val count = remember { mutableStateOf(0) }
7
8 Button(onClick = { count.value++ }) {
9 Text("Clicked ${count.value} times")
10 }
11 }
12
In this example, the Counter composable function has a mutable state count. Every
time the button is clicked, the count value increases, and the Counter function
recomposes to update the UI with the new count value.
Example 2: Recomposition with a Toggle Button

1 import androidx.compose.runtime.*
2 import androidx.compose.ui.tooling.preview.Preview
3
4 @Composable
5 fun ToggleButton() {
6 val toggled = remember { mutableStateOf(false) }
7
8 Button(onClick = { toggled.value = !toggled.value }) {
9 Text(if (toggled.value) "On" else "Off")
10 }
11 }
12
In this example, the ToggleButton composable function has a mutable state toggled.
When the button is clicked, the toggled value changes, causing
the ToggleButton function to recompose and update the UI to reflect the new state.

Example 3: Recomposition with Text Input

1 import androidx.compose.runtime.*
2 import androidx.compose.ui.tooling.preview.Preview
3
4 @Composable
5 fun TextInput() {
6 val text = remember { mutableStateOf("") }
7
8 TextField(
9 value = text.value,
10 onValueChange = { newText -> text.value = newText },
11 label = { Text("Enter text") }
12 )
13 }
14
In this example, the TextInput composable function has a mutable state text. When
text is entered into the TextField, the text value updates, causing
the TextInput function to recompose and maintain the entered text.
Recomposition is a powerful feature in Kotlin for Android development, allowing the
UI to automatically update in response to state changes. Understanding
recomposition is crucial for building dynamic and responsive applications, as it
ensures that the UI always reflects the current state of the application.

3. Essential Kotlin Syntax: Remember

Theory:

In Kotlin, particularly in Jetpack Compose for Android, remember is a powerful

function used for managing and preserving state across recompositions.
Recomposition is the process where the UI is redrawn to reflect the new state or
data changes.

When a composable function recomposes, the values inside it might get

recalculated. Using remember helps in preserving the state or calculation, ensuring
that it doesn’t get recalculated unnecessarily, thus improving performance and
maintaining consistency.

Syntax:

The remember function is used within a composable function to create and remember
a state or calculation. Here is the basic syntax:

1 val state = remember { calculationOrState }

2
Examples:

Example 1: Remembering a Simple Calculation

1 import androidx.compose.runtime.remember
2
3 @Composable
4 fun ExampleComposable() {
5 val calculatedValue = remember { 2 * 2 }
6 // The value of calculatedValue will be preserved across recompositions
7}
8
In this example, calculatedValue will hold the result of the calculation 2 * 2, and
this value will be preserved even if ExampleComposable recomposes.

Example 2: Remembering a Mutable State

1 import androidx.compose.runtime.*
2
3 @Composable
4 fun Counter() {
5 val count = remember { mutableStateOf(0) }
6
7 Button(onClick = { count.value++ }) {
8 Text("Clicked ${count.value} times")
9 }
10 }
11
In this example, a mutable state count is remembered across recompositions. Every
time the button is clicked, the count value increases, and the UI is updated,
preserving the count value even during recompositions.

Example 3: Remembering a Custom Object

1 import androidx.compose.runtime.remember
2
3 data class CustomData(val name: String, val age: Int)
4
5 @Composable
6 fun CustomDataComposable() {
7 val customData = remember { CustomData("John Doe", 30) }
8 // customData will be preserved across recompositions
9}
10
In this example, a custom object customData of type CustomData is remembered,
preserving its values across recompositions.

The remember function in Kotlin for Android development is essential for maintaining
state and calculations across recompositions in a composable function. It ensures
that data remains consistent and prevents unnecessary recalculations, thus
enhancing the performance and user experience of the application.

4. Understanding mutableStateOf

Theory:

mutableStateOf is a function in Kotlin, specifically used in Jetpack Compose,

Android’s modern UI toolkit. It is used to create a mutable state variable.

A mutable state variable is a variable whose value can change over time, and when
it changes, it automatically recomposes or updates the parts of the UI that use this
variable.

This makes mutableStateOf essential for creating interactive and dynamic UIs in
Android applications.

Syntax:

The syntax for creating a mutable state using mutableStateOf is straightforward. You
define a variable and assign it a mutable state with an initial value.

1 val variableName = mutableStateOf(initialValue)

2
Examples:

Example 1: Mutable State with a Color Picker

1 import androidx.compose.runtime.*
2 import androidx.compose.ui.graphics.Color
3 import androidx.compose.ui.tooling.preview.Preview
4
5 @Composable
6 fun ColorPicker() {
7 val color = remember { mutableStateOf(Color.Red) }
8
9 ColorButton(color = Color.Red, onClick = { color.value = Color.Red })
10 ColorButton(color = Color.Green, onClick = { color.value = Color.Green })
11 ColorButton(color = Color.Blue, onClick = { color.value = Color.Blue })
12
13 Box(modifier = Modifier.background(color.value)) {
14 // Content goes here
15 }
16 }
17
18 @Composable
19 fun ColorButton(color: Color, onClick: () -> Unit) {
20 // Button UI goes here
21 }
22
In this example, a mutable state color is created to hold a color value. Different
buttons allow the user to pick a color, updating the color state and the background
color of a box.

Example 2: Mutable State with a Visibility Toggle

1 import androidx.compose.runtime.*
2
3 @Composable
4 fun VisibilityToggle() {
5 val isVisible = remember { mutableStateOf(true) }
6
7 Button(onClick = { isVisible.value = !isVisible.value }) {
8 Text(if (isVisible.value) "Hide" else "Show")
9 }
10
11 if (isVisible.value) {
12 // Content to show or hide goes here
13 }
14 }
15
In this example, a mutable state isVisible is used to toggle the visibility of some
content. Clicking the button changes the visibility state, showing or hiding the
content.
Example 3: Mutable State with a Rating System

1 import androidx.compose.runtime.*
2
3 @Composable
4 fun RatingSystem() {
5 val rating = remember { mutableStateOf(0) }
6
7 Button(onClick = { if (rating.value < 5) rating.value++ }) {
8 Text("Upvote")
9 }
10
11 Button(onClick = { if (rating.value > 0) rating.value-- }) {
12 Text("Downvote")
13 }
14
15 Text("Rating: ${rating.value}")
16 }
17
In this example, a mutable state rating is used to manage a simple rating system.
Users can upvote or downvote, and the rating value updates and displays on the
screen.

These examples demonstrate the versatility of mutableStateOf in managing various

aspects of UI state in a Kotlin Android application, facilitating the creation of
interactive and dynamic user interfaces.

5. Essential Kotlin Syntax: Random.nextBoolean()

Theory:

Random.nextBoolean() is a function in Kotlin that belongs to the Random class. It is

used to generate a random boolean value, either true or false.

This function is particularly useful when you want to introduce randomness in

decision-making within your code, such as showing/hiding elements, generating test
data, or making a game mechanic unpredictable.
Syntax:

The syntax for using Random.nextBoolean() is straightforward. You call this function
directly from the Random object, and it returns a boolean value.

1 val randomBoolean = Random.nextBoolean()

2
Examples:

Example 1: Randomly Showing/Hiding a Message

1 import kotlin.random.Random
2
3 fun showMessage() {
4 if (Random.nextBoolean()) {
5 println("Hello, Kotlin!")
6 } else {
7 println("The message is hidden.")
8 }
9}
10
11 // Calling the function
12 showMessage()
13
In this example, the function showMessage randomly either displays a greeting
message or a message saying that the greeting is hidden, based on the boolean
value generated by Random.nextBoolean().

Example 2: Randomly Choosing Between Two Options

1 import kotlin.random.Random
2
3 fun chooseOption() {
4 val option = if (Random.nextBoolean()) "Option A" else "Option B"
5 println("The chosen option is: $option")
6}
7
8 // Calling the function
9 chooseOption()
10
In this example, the function chooseOption randomly chooses between “Option A”
and “Option B” based on the result of Random.nextBoolean() and prints the chosen
option.

Example 3: Randomly Changing Background Color

1 import kotlin.random.Random
2
3 fun getBackgroundColor(): String {
4 return if (Random.nextBoolean()) "Red" else "Blue"
5}
6
7 // Using the function
8 val backgroundColor = getBackgroundColor()
9 println("The background color is: $backgroundColor")
10
In this example, the function getBackgroundColor randomly returns either “Red” or
“Blue” as a background color based on the boolean value generated
by Random.nextBoolean().

Random.nextBoolean() is a simple yet powerful function in Kotlin that allows you to

introduce randomness into your application by generating random boolean values.

Understanding and utilizing this function can help in creating diverse, unpredictable,
and engaging functionalities in various applications, such as games, simulations, and
tests.

6. Understanding the by keyword (as opposed to .value)

Theory:

In Kotlin, the by keyword is used for delegation. Delegation is a design pattern

wherein an object hands over its responsibilities to a second helper object.
In the context of state management in Kotlin, especially in Jetpack Compose, you
might see the by keyword used with mutable states.

Using by allows you to directly access and modify the state value without
using .value.

Syntax:

When using by with mutable states, you can define a mutable state and then
delegate the access and modification of the state to another variable using
the by keyword.

1 var state by mutableStateOf(initialValue)

2
Examples:

Example 1: Using by with a Counter State

1 import androidx.compose.runtime.mutableStateOf
2 import androidx.compose.runtime.remember
3 import androidx.compose.runtime.getValue
4 import androidx.compose.runtime.setValue
5
6 @Composable
7 fun Counter() {
8 var count by remember { mutableStateOf(0) }
9
10 Button(onClick = { count++ }) {
11 Text("Clicked $count times")
12 }
13 }
14
In this example, the count variable is delegated to the mutable state. You can
directly use and modify count without needing to use .value.

Example 2: Using by with a Text State

1 import androidx.compose.runtime.*
2
3 @Composable
4 fun TextInput() {
5 var text by remember { mutableStateOf("") }
6
7 TextField(
8 value = text,
9 onValueChange = { newText -> text = newText },
10 label = { Text("Enter text") }
11 )
12 }
13
In this example, the text variable is delegated to the mutable state, allowing direct
access and modification without using .value.

Example 3: Using by with a Toggle State

1 import androidx.compose.runtime.*
2
3 @Composable
4 fun ToggleButton() {
5 var toggled by remember { mutableStateOf(false) }
6
7 Button(onClick = { toggled = !toggled }) {
8 Text(if (toggled) "On" else "Off")
9 }
10 }
11
In this example, the toggled variable is delegated to the mutable state, simplifying
the syntax for accessing and modifying the state.

The by keyword simplifies the syntax when working with mutable states in Kotlin,
allowing for direct access and modification of the state without the need for
the .value suffix.

Understanding this keyword and the delegation pattern it represents is essential for
writing more concise and readable code in Kotlin, especially when working with
mutable states in Jetpack Compose.
7. Essential Kotlin Syntax: Label

Theory:

A label in Kotlin, when using Jetpack Compose for Android UI development, typically
refers to a text element used to describe or annotate another UI element, such
as a TextField.

Labels help make the UI more understandable and accessible by providing

additional context or information to the user.

Changing the font style and using MaterialTheme.typography allows you to apply
different text styles to the label, making it visually distinct and aligned with the
application’s design guidelines.

Syntax:

In Jetpack Compose, you can use the Text composable function to create labels and
apply various styles, including font styles and typography from the MaterialTheme.

1 Text(
2 text = "Label Text",
3 style = MaterialTheme.typography.body1
4)
5
Examples:

Example 1: Label for a TextField

1 @Composable
2 fun LabeledTextField() {
3 var text by remember { mutableStateOf("") }
4
5 TextField(
6 value = text,
7 onValueChange = { newText -> text = newText },
8 label = { Text("Enter your name") }
9 )
10 }
11
In this example, a label is used to annotate a TextField, guiding the user to enter
their name.

Example 2: Changing Font Style of a Label

1 @Composable
2 fun StyledLabel() {
3 Text(
4 text = "Bold Label",
5 fontWeight = FontWeight.Bold
6 )
7}
8
Here, the font style of the label is modified to be bold, making it visually distinct.

Example 3: Using MaterialTheme.typography in a Label

1 @Composable
2 fun TypographyLabel() {
3 Text(
4 text = "Styled Label",
5 style = MaterialTheme.typography.h6
6 )
7}
8
In this example, a predefined typography style from the MaterialTheme is applied to
the label, ensuring consistency across the application’s text elements.

Labels in Kotlin with Jetpack Compose are essential for creating understandable and
accessible UIs. They can be styled and customized using various font styles and
predefined typography from the MaterialTheme, allowing for a consistent and visually
appealing presentation of text in your Android applications.

Understanding how to use and style labels is crucial for effective UI design and user
experience in Kotlin Android development.
8. Essential Kotlin Syntax: .toDoubleOrNull()

Theory:

In Kotlin, .toDoubleOrNull() is an extension function used with strings. This function

attempts to convert a string into a double-precision floating-point number ( Double).

If the conversion is successful, it returns the double value; if not, it returns null.

This function is particularly useful when you are dealing with user input or data
parsing, where there’s a possibility that the string might not be a valid representation
of a double number.

Syntax:

You can call .toDoubleOrNull() directly on a string. Here is the basic syntax:

1 val doubleValue: Double? = stringValue.toDoubleOrNull()

2
Examples:

Example 1: Converting a Valid String to Double

1 val stringValue = "123.45"

2 val doubleValue = stringValue.toDoubleOrNull()
3
4 if (doubleValue != null) {
5 println("The double value is $doubleValue")
6 } else {
7 println("The string is not a valid double.")
8}
9
In this example, since "123.45" is a valid representation of a
double, doubleValue will be 123.45, and the output will be: The double value is
123.45.
Example 2: Trying to Convert an Invalid String to Double

1 val stringValue = "Hello"

2 val doubleValue = stringValue.toDoubleOrNull()
3
4 if (doubleValue != null) {
5 println("The double value is $doubleValue")
6 } else {
7 println("The string is not a valid double.")
8}
9
In this example, since "Hello" is not a valid representation of a
double, doubleValue will be null, and the output will be: The string is not a valid
double.

Example 3: Converting a String with Extra Spaces

1 val stringValue = " 123.45 "

2 val doubleValue = stringValue.toDoubleOrNull()
3
4 if (doubleValue != null) {
5 println("The double value is $doubleValue")
6 } else {
7 println("The string is not a valid double.")
8}
9
In this example, even though the string " 123.45 " has extra
spaces, doubleValue will successfully
be 123.45 because .toDoubleOrNull() ignores leading and trailing whitespace.

Understanding the .toDoubleOrNull() function is essential for safely handling and

converting strings to double values in Kotlin.

It allows for graceful error handling by returning null when a string is not a valid
representation of a double, preventing runtime crashes due to invalid conversions.

9. Essential Kotlin Syntax: Elvis operator

Theory:

The Elvis operator ?: is a binary operator that is part of Kotlin’s syntax. It is used to
handle null values gracefully.

The Elvis operator returns the expression on its left-hand side if it’s non-null;
otherwise, it returns the expression on its right-hand side.

Syntax:

Here is how you use the Elvis operator:

1 val result = nullableExpression ?: fallbackValue

2
Examples:

Example 1: Using Elvis Operator with a Nullable String

1 val name: String? = null

2 val displayName = name ?: "Guest"
3
4 println(displayName) // Output: Guest
5
In this example, since name is null, the Elvis operator returns "Guest", and that value
gets assigned to displayName.

Example 2: Using Elvis Operator with a Non-Null Value

1 val age: Int? = 25

2 val displayAge = age ?: 0
3
4 println(displayAge) // Output: 25
5
In this example, since age is non-null, the Elvis operator returns 25, and that value
gets assigned to displayAge.

Example 3: Using Elvis Operator to Return from a Function

1 fun getLength(str: String?): Int {
2 return str?.length ?: 0
3}
4
5 println(getLength("Hello")) // Output: 5
6 println(getLength(null)) // Output: 0
7
In this example, the function getLength returns the length of a string or 0 if the string
is null.

The Elvis operator ?: is a powerful tool in Kotlin for dealing with null values,
allowing for more concise and readable code. It helps in providing default values
when working with nullable types, reducing the need for verbose null-checking code
and making the code more resilient against null pointer exceptions.

Understanding and utilizing the Elvis operator is essential for effective Kotlin
programming, especially when dealing with optional or nullable data.

Conclusion: Mastering State Management and Essential Kotlin Syntax – Day

6 Android 14 Masterclass

Concluding Day 6 of the Android 14 Masterclass, we’ve seen how essential Kotlin
syntax harmonizes with state management to yield responsive and dynamic user
interfaces. The article highlighted the pivotal role of ‘mutableStateOf’, ‘remember’,
and the delegation keyword ‘by’ in preserving state across recompositions,
illustrating with practical examples that bring theory to life. We learned how Kotlin’s
randomization functions and the Elvis operator can be leveraged to enhance app
functionality and user experience.

If you want to skyrocket your Android career, check out our The Complete Android
14 & Kotlin Development Masterclass. Learn Android 14 App Development From
Beginner to Advanced Developer.

Master Jetpack Compose to harness the cutting-edge of Android

development, gain proficiency in XML — an essential skill for numerous
development roles, and acquire practical expertise by constructing real-world
applications.