Architecting Shared Logic with Kotlin Multiplatform Mobile: Benefits, Challenges, and Ecosystem Positioning (Published)
Kotlin Multiplatform Mobile (KMP) represents a strategic advancement in cross-platform development, addressing a long-standing challenge in mobile application engineering: achieving code reuse without sacrificing native performance. Unlike frameworks like Flutter or React Native, which abstract UI layers, KMP emphasizes sharing business logic while preserving platform-specific user experiences. This synthesis examines KMP’s architectural design, repository structuring strategies, implementation best practices, and its broader ecosystem positioning. It dissects the expect/actual mechanism that elegantly bridges shared logic and platform-specific implementations. Practical considerations such as dependency injection, state management, and testing strategies are analyzed alongside challenges including build system complexity, platform API bridging, and ecosystem maturity. By evaluating these facets, the article positions KMP as a robust solution for mobile teams aiming to streamline cross-platform development without compromising on performance or user experience.
Keywords: Kotlin multiplatform mobile, business logic sharing, code sharing, cross-platform development, expect/actual mechanism, mobile architecture, native performance, native user interfaces