Learning Kotlin by Building Android Applications

Introduction

The book "Learning Kotlin by Building Android Applications" by Eunice Adutwum was published in 2018 and immediately attracted the attention of beginner Android developers. This is not just a textbook on the Kotlin language, but a full-fledged practical guide that takes the reader from the first lines of code to publishing a finished application in the store. Unlike many dry reference books, the book is built around real projects, which allows you to immediately apply the knowledge gained.

What the book is about

The book consists of 10 chapters, each dedicated to building a specific Android application. The author starts with the basics of Kotlin: variables, data types, control structures, functions. Then gradually moves on to working with the Android SDK: layouts, activities, fragments, intents, networking, and databases. Each chapter is a complete project: from a simple calculator to a note-taking app using Firebase. Special attention is paid to application architecture (MVVM) and modern approaches such as Coroutines and LiveData.

Who this book is for

The book is aimed at beginner developers who are already familiar with the basics of programming (for example, in Java or Python) and want to learn Kotlin for Android. It is also suitable for those transitioning from Java to Kotlin who want to see practical examples. Experienced developers may find the book too simple, but for beginners it is an excellent start.

What the reader will learn

• Basics of Kotlin syntax: variables, functions, classes, null safety.
• Working with Android Studio: creating projects, emulators, debugging.
• Building user interfaces: XML layouts, ConstraintLayout, Material Design.
• Activity and fragment lifecycle: understanding states and handling them.
• Working with data: SQLite, Room, SharedPreferences.
• Network requests: Retrofit, working with REST API.
• Asynchrony: Coroutines, LiveData, ViewModel.
• Publishing an application: preparing APK, uploading to Google Play.

Strengths of the book

The main advantage is the project-oriented approach. Instead of abstract examples, the author suggests creating real applications that can be immediately run on a phone. The code is commented in detail, explaining not only the "how" but also the "why". The book is written in simple language, without excessive academicism. It is also worth noting the emphasis on modern tools: Coroutines, Firebase, Android Jetpack. This makes the book relevant even several years after its release.

Who it is recommended for

The book will be useful for anyone who wants to quickly enter the world of Android development with Kotlin. I especially recommend it to students, participants in mobile development courses, and self-taught learners who value practice. If you already know Java and want to switch to Kotlin, this book will help you do it painlessly. For experienced developers, it can serve as a good reference on specific topics, but not as a primary textbook.

Overall, "Learning Kotlin by Building Android Applications" is a quality introduction to Kotlin and Android that provides a solid foundation for further growth. Despite the book being published in 2018, the main concepts remain relevant, and the code examples are easily adaptable to new library versions. I recommend it for reading to all beginner Android developers.